How Augmented Reality will shape our everyday life
I am a Computer Science graduate from Dublin and joined Version 1 in 2019 through their Accelerate programme. I am currently working as part of the Innovation Labs team who work with bold and cutting-edge technologies. This is very exciting for a young software developer as it has allowed me to explore interesting tech like Virtual and Augmented Reality. For this article, I am going to focus on Augmented Reality (AR).
So what is Augmented Reality?
AR use depth sensors, cameras, and motion sensors to create overlay images which enable interactive experiences where the real world is enhanced with computer-generated and superimposed objects and information. This provides new ways of seeing the world around you, giving you access to relevant data based on your current environment.
AR is known as a new and innovative technology but the first introduction to AR came about in 1968 when a Harvard professor created a head-mounted display called The Sword of Damocles. For this experience, a user’s head was securely fastened into the device & computer-generated graphics were displayed. This was truly innovative for its time!
In the past, the AR market was dominated by business-focused solutions like Google Glass, Magic Leap and Microsoft HoloLens. The popularity of AR for the consumer market exploded in 2016 when Nintendo released the app, Pokemon Go and the average consumer’s perception of the technology was changed forever.
As a member of the Version 1 Innovation Labs, however, I have been exploring how this technology can add value to our client’s business. My research gave me great insight into the world of AR, the benefits that come from it and how it will shape our everyday life.
Benefits & Uses of Augmented Reality
No longer just seen in Science Fiction movies, AR is driven by consumer and industry demands. This emerging technology is destined to dramatically change the way we solve problems and interact with our world. This ranges from manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, education, medicine, fashion, health and beauty, aircraft and automotive repairs and maintenance, remote assistance, training and so on. To give a couple of examples of how this would apply:
Manufacturing Industry
AR aims to maintain efficient operations by cutting production downtime, quickly identifying problems and keeping all services and processes going. Engineers can see renderings of bolts, cables, part numbers and instructions on how to assemble, repair and inspect specific components. On top of this, experts can be called during times of need and can see what the engineer sees through a HoloLens to examine issues and offer assistance.
Employee Training
Whether you are to use a new software system, introduced to a new piece of equipment or shown new treatment methods, AR experiences can be built to provide a more interactive learning experience for employees.
If you are a new joiner, there is a lot to learn in a short space of time. You may be given thick manuals about the systems, best practices and processes to catch you up to speed on how the business functions. Imagine you were given an app to download instead and had this resource readily available to teach you about your new job in an immersive way. There are no reasons as to why enterprises can’t automate the onboarding experience — both time and money are saved.
No matter the sector or the job, Augmented Reality can help automate employee training, making processes more efficient and thus reduce cost.
Consumer use
I previously mentioned Pokemon Go and how, in 2016, it changed the perception of AR. Developers realised how easily this futuristic piece of tech could be integrated with everyday life, which led to a surge of AR applications being developed. These cool, innovative apps are integrated into everyday use and most consumers wouldn’t even know — for example, Snapchat’s face filters are all powered by AR, but your average consumer probably wouldn’t realise.
An interesting app I stumbled upon and looking forward to using is Neon AR. Neon AR is a new way to find your friends in real-time using your geolocation. Users add each other and then locate each other when lost. Check out the video of Neon AR in action below:
A brilliant, lightweight app that can change how we find people when lost — Neon AR is a simple example of how AR can integrate and shape our everyday lives.
Case Study: Ford
Traditionally, clay models are used to help make thousands of design decisions with regards the building of a Ford vehicle. These decisions are often made in close collaborations with their partners in engineering and management. This is a time-consuming and expensive process. Ford is embracing the digital transformation of the modern workplace across the company to improve efficiency. Design will become an important differentiator for Ford and Microsoft HoloLens will be key in standing out.
While clay models will still be used in the design process, design decisions can be made early on before building clay models to scale. With HoloLens, Ford designers are blending 3D holograms digitally with both clay models and physical production vehicles. This allows designers to experiment much more quickly without having to physically build every design prototype in clay, which can limit creativity with longer steps.
“Microsoft HoloLens allows a whole team of people to collaborate, share and look at ideas together. It is exciting because it helps our designers and engineers communicate effectively and ideate to see the future earlier in the process by mixing virtual and physical models. This allows great freedom and efficiency in how prototypes are created or changed.”
This new technology allows Ford to create and iterate more freely and quickly. They also envision the potential to use HoloLens in multiple areas of vehicle development, including early product creation, the design process and later engineering studies of designs.
Augmented Reality & the Innovation Labs
The Innovation Labs are interested in cutting-edge, disruptive technology and AR falls under that category. With clientele ranging from telecommunications to pharmaceutical to retail, the Innovation Labs believe there is an immense amount of value that can be added to our customer’s businesses through AR.
A recent example is DAE Capital, a global enterprise at the forefront of aircraft leasing. The Innovation Labs partnered with DAE to bring their data to life through AR.
Although this is only an example it gives an insight into how Version 1 & the Innovation Labs will use this technology going forward to bring value to their customers.
The Innovation Labs have been in operation since mid-2018 with a full-time dedicated team exploring cutting edge technology. We have delivered many successful PoVs and are keen to engage with our customers to help them explore next-generation technologies which might transform their business. Find out more about Innovation at Version 1 here.
