6 AR/VR Trends for 2022
The world was forever changed by the pandemic. This greatly affected the AR/VR fields boosting the technology progress, but there were other factors too: advancements in tech and infrastructure and more investment in general.
Now Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies are at their peak popularity and they will definitely dominate the market in 2022.
So, let's take a look at 5 major AR/VR trends that will shine bright in the next year. Thanks to the AR/VR development companies that drive this industry forward, we can be sure that the popularity of immersive technologies will only be growing.
#1 Mobile AR
Large caps take their turn on the AR/VR market and release powerful development tools. Now they are shaping how nearly every AR application is developed.
Apple and Google have released their major AR development tools: ARKit and ARCore respectively. The competitive spirit between those two giants is good for the market - these tools are constantly updated and enhanced, allowing AR developers to use top-notch tools.
Some of the newest updates to ARKit are:
What about ARCore? It falls short of ARKit in terms of some technical capabilities, such as motion capture or simultaneous use of front and back cameras. However, ARCore is more widely accessible due to its larger global market share.
#2 AR for Retail
One of the most important features a retail business can provide customers with is a try-before-you-buy option. Shopping for clothes when all world went online and you are isolated at home due to Сovid, or buying furniture that is hard to imagine standing in your room is exhausting.
AR solves these issues with ease - such brands as Uniqlo, Americal Apparel, Sephora, and others already use AR dressing rooms and makeover apps. The app lets users try on clothes or makeup virtually, as well as place a 3D model in their room and see how real furniture will look like.
This trend will continue to shine in 2022 as well as more and more customers use such apps regularly. Its projected global market is expected to reach $10 billion by 2027.
#3 Virtual and Remote Assistance
Around 40% of U.S. jobs are possible via telework - then why don't we use this potential?
Since a large group of U.S. adults work from home, and even a larger group of consumers want particular services and assistance done on their site, AR/VR solutions for remote assistance gain popularity.
Augmented Reality can allow technicians to give guidance to consumers using applications with on-screen directions. For additional options, businesses can build thorough user manuals in AR or VR.
#4 AR for Automotive
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality have a great impact on the automotive industry. One of the most important applications of AR, for example, is HUDs which are familiar from video games. And in cars, HUDs help drivers obtain information via the interface that supports their view of the road.
VR, however, is used for a different yet still important purpose.
With VR it is possible to create life-like virtual experiences for the staff to practice their job skills. Also, VR is used to create prototypes of new cars to test viable concepts without manufacturing a real car. This greatly saves time and money.
#5 Virtual Events
AR/VR technologies can greatly enhance online events, especially since there are restrictions regarding Covid-19.
Sports events, music shows, conferences - literally events of any type can be enhanced with Virtual Reality experiences or Augmented Reality data overlays.
On top of that, the majority of AR experiences used during events are powered by WebAR. Thanks to it, users don't have to wait for AR apps to download - they connect to the web and download content for the experiences on the go. Now WebAR has more than 3 billion compatible devices and this number only grows every day, bringing AR/VR solutions for events even closer to users worldwide.
#6 Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence
Both consumers and businesses place high demands upon AR solutions. And usually, those demands cannot rely on simple programming and humans - this is where a more powerful tool is expected.
And this tool is Artificial Intelligence. Neural networks and Machine Learning algorithms can handle such tasks as placing virtual objects against real-world ones with ease and boast advanced accuracy.
One of the most important roles for AI in the world of AR is support. For example, shoppers can get automatic suggestions at a store using an AR application on their phones. The suggestions are provided via advanced chatbots powered by Natural Language Processing techniques, which are a part of AI.
These trends for AR/VR solutions for 2022 will definitely change how businesses and consumers perceive immersive technologies. A few years ago Augmented and Virtual Reality was entertainment-only and immature technologies, and now they revolutionize multiple markets at once, including traveling, retail, automotive, and so on.