Augmented Reality Strategy- Why every organization needs it
Most of us are aware that the physical world is a three-dimensional world, where the data is trapped on screens and two dimensional pages. This gap between the digital world and the real world has prevented us from exploring the amount of information that can be available to us. In order to close this gap, a new technology has surfaced called the augmented reality. Augmented reality translates all the information in a context where we can directly absorb and act on it.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality is a type of technology that imposes images and digital data in the physical world, thereby closing the gap of human capabilities. Augmented reality is of new age and a wonderful interface between machines and humans. Augmented reality improves how users can visualize information, interact with different products, and receive and follow instructions.
Several organizations are already implementing it in logistics, training, product development, services, manufacturing, and marketing. Big organizations like Facebook, U.S Navy, Mayo Clinic, General Electric, and Amazon are implementing augmented reality and believe that it has a major impact of productivity and quality.
What does Augmented Reality Do?
Augmented reality helps transform analytics and data into animations or images and are overlaid to the real world. Currently, most AR applications work on mobile devices, but soon in years to come, this technology will also become available on smart watches and glasses too. AR has found its way both in the consumer as well as business to business market.
Some of the most common AR entertainment apps are Snapchat filters and Pokeman Go. AR applications are also very common in car models giving users the experience of line of sight and navigation features. In factories, AR helps workers in service instructions and production assembly.
How does Augmented Reality Work?
The augmented reality technology comprises of a camera equipped device such as tablet, smart phone, webcam enables laptop, and smart glasses which is loaded with the AR software. When the user looks at an object and points the device towards it, the AR software recognizes using computer vision technology and analyses the video stream.
The device downloads all information about the object from the cloud which is similar to the way web browser loads information through URL. The main difference between the web url based information and AR is that this technology presents information in 3D experience superimposed on the object rather than a 2-D page on screen. AR also provides real time information flowing from products and allows user to control by gesture, voice, or touchscreen.
When the user moves from that particular place or object, the AR orientation also automatically adjusts to the shifting context. The older information passes out of view and the new current information comes into view.
Advantages and Capabilities of Augmented Reality
1. Visualize
All AR applications have the ability to provide x-ray vision revealing all the minute details which would be difficult to see normally. For e.g. the AR technology used by a medical device company can convert the patient’s veins into a superimposed image on the skin giving crystal clear view of the veins for the clinicians to view.
2. Guides and provides instructions
AR is extensively used for coaching, training, and instruction. These capabilities improve the workforce quality and productivity. Traditional face to face training as well as written instructions can be hard, time consuming and expensive. AR easily helps address and mitigate these issues by giving accurate and step by step visualized guidance on tasks.
3. Enhances human decision making
Our mental capacity and cognitive function has limited ability to process and absorb information. AR is so powerful that is reduces the load on cognitive function and provides an enhanced overlay of guidance and real time data when and where needed.
4. Interact
The most common and traditional method used to interact is by using physical controls such as knobs, buttons, or touch screen. However, AR improves user interface and interaction in such a way that control panel is superimposed directly on the product. This virtual control panel can be operated through voice or hand gestures.
5. Cost reduction
AR enables new efficiencies which in turn significantly reduce costs involved in training, design, service, and assembly in a value chain. Augmented reality is also known to reduce manufacturing costs by decreasing the need for face to face interfaces.
Conclusion
In today’s era, there is a constraint in the lack of data and also how to assimilate the information available. Augmented reality helps bridge the gap between these challenges. Augmented reality helps unleash increase productivity and value towards the economy. Augmented reality helps reduce the fundamental disconnect between the digital data available and the physical world in which we assess and interpret this information. Augmented reality will transform how organizations aim to create products, train employees, serve customers, and maintain their value chain.