The Evolution of Augmented Reality and Its Impact on Everyday Life
In this post we are exploring the evolution of Augmented Reality and its impact of the everyday life of the people.
In this post we are exploring the evolution of Augmented Reality and its impact of the everyday life of the people.Augmented Reality - The Evolution of Augmented Reality and Its Impact on Everyday Life
As human beings, our thirst for knowledge and desire to create has driven technology forward. Since the creation of the first mechanical computer in the 1950s, society has become increasingly digital, with businesses in all industries searching for ways to connect with their target audience and raise brand awareness through their online presence. Users are now able to do their banking, stream and download video, shop and connect over social media online - and it doesn't stop there.
The concepts of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality may seem fanciful to some, but they have already begun to infiltrate everyday life. Furthermore, these advancing technologies are no longer confined to desktop and laptop computers. Mobile phones and tablets now have the capability to carry out the same functions as computers, allowing users to access this technology both at home and out and about.
While Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have their similarities, it's crucial to note that they are two different entities. In contrast to Virtual Reality, which transports users to an entirely virtual landscape, Augmented Reality overlays virtual elements on the physical world.
The History of Augmented and Virtual Reality
Hard as it may be to believe, augmented and virtual reality was already being explored in the 1960s and 1970s. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that researchers and developers began to look at how to apply the emerging technology to business and leisure. The term Virtual Reality itself was coined by Jaron Lanier, one of the founders of VPL Research Inc, while Tom Caudell, a Boeing researcher, is credited with the creation of the term Augmented Reality.
Although the company went out of business in 1999, VPL Research Inc played a key role in the development of VR and AR, creating some of the first VR devices which have paved the way for today's products.
It could be argued that a significant breakthrough for Augmented Reality occurred in 1998 with the launch of the yellow card marker in NFL games. Debuted in a game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinatti Bengals, the yellow line digitally represented the first down marker without interfering with the coverage of the game. It wasn't long before the technology became an intrinsic part of NFL coverage, with its creator Sportvision continuing to operate the yellow line to this day, albeit with more accuracy.
The 2000s saw further development of AR, as companies from different industries explored the possibilities. Augmented Reality was used in print media by Esquire Magazine, while Volkswagen launched its MARTA (Mobile Augmented Reality Technical Assistance) app, an Augmented Reality service manual.
While Oculus VR created the first VR headset, Google and Microsoft explored Augmented Reality, creating respectively the Google Glass AR glasses and the Holo Lens Headset.
Practical Applications of Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality has evolved from an abstract concept to a tool which has a significant impact on business and leisure. Individuals without a background in technology could be forgiven for thinking that it does not have an effect on everyday life; however, it is possible to see practical applications of AR in a range of different industries.
The retail industry
The retail industry has benefitted hugely from the introduction and
application of Augmented Reality. Online shopping has become more and more
popular in recent years and this trend looks set to continue. According to
Statista, online global retail sales reached almost 5 trillion US dollars in
2021 and projections forecast sales of over 7 trillion US dollars in 2025.
With this notable swing towards online shopping, Augmented Reality can make a
huge difference to the user experience and convert browsing individuals into
paying customers. Fashion companies can enable customers to try on items of
clothing using a camera phone, while beauty retailers give customers the
opportunity to try out make-up brands.
In 2017, one of the world's largest furniture companies, IKEA, launched their IKEA Place app which allows users to virtually place items of furniture in their houses before ordering them.
GPS navigation and geolocation
With the launch of Pokemon Go in 2016, Augmented Reality was brought firmly into the public eye. Users followed directions to real-world locations in order to catch Pokemons or Pocket Monsters. The hype surrounding the app led to an astonishing 232 million active users in 2016. Today that figure is far lower, but Augmented Reality received an impressive boost to its exposure.
Building on the foundation of GPS tracking and its use of satellite data to pinpoint location, Google added Live View to Google Maps in 2019. This new feature used the phone camera to determine location and added directions on top of the display to guide walkers in the right direction. By scanning the view provided by the camera, the app can compare the area to street view imagery and instruct users which way to walk.
Online gaming
Virtual Reality might steal the headlines when it comes to online gaming, but Augmented Reality has its own selling points. AR does not require expensive headsets or extra software, which means that more users can access the technology without a high financial cost.
Pokemon Go may be one of the most famous AR games, but there are ever more examples of games using AR technology. Gamers have a whole host of options to choose from; from sports games such as AR Sports Basketball, where users can shoot hoops wherever they are using their mobile phones, to Zombies, Run!, a fun fitness game where people escape zombies chasing them in their physical environments.
The sports and gambling gaming sectors are also prime for AR development. The popularity of online casinos has skyrocketed in recent years, with players having access to exciting online crypto slots on-the-go, using fast and secure cryptocurrency deposits. Yet, it is possible to push the boundaries of the sector even further with AR. The capabilities of AR to combine online gaming with the casino experience affords gamers a more immersive, engaging experience that's both entertaining and accessible.
Social networking
Augmented Reality has long had a place in the social media realm. Snapchat introduced photo filters in 2015 and have been incredibly fashionable, allowing users to apply a variety of cute, funny additions to their photos and videos. What's more, the features can move with the user's face.
Not to be outdone, Facebook and Instagram allow users to add their own stories and personalize them with filters and animations. Going one step further, Facebook provides users with the Spark AR Studio Tool, enabling users to create their own AR effects and publish them to the platform.
While social media companies seek to enhance the individual's experience, they are also working in tandem with businesses using AR advertising, giving them a boost by personalizing adverts to the individual viewer.
Education and training
The sheer possibilities of AR within education and training are endless. The medical industry, for example, can use Augmented Reality to demonstrate medical procedures on specific areas of the body. In schools, teachers can use AR to give students access to scientific concepts, bringing the solar system or weather patterns to life in the physical classroom.
In the workplace, employees can learn in a more interactive environment. Some people are more visual learners who respond far better to hands-on, engaging training than dry information in weighty manuals.
To those without a background in technological development, it may come as a surprise to look around the world we live in and pick up on all the ways Augmented Reality is now impacting our lives. When it comes to the digital world, users' expectations are higher than ever and AR is a valuable tool for businesses seeking to meet these demands.
