Implications of Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (Current State and Future Implications) Augmented reality (AR) has become a common buzzword in the modern society, particularly in the field of technology. This concept of overlaying computerized information is increasingly finding its place in the market through mobile devices. For people who use mobile devices for their everyday activities, augmented reality enables them to have a reality that is based on their desires and needs.

It has shaped the realities of people across the globe as technology continues to play an important role in modern communications and interactions between people from different geographical locations. Therefore, augmented reality is expected to have a significant impact on the future given its current state and impact on people’s realities and the society. Current State of Augmented Reality The field of augmented reality and virtual reality has experienced tremendous growth and evolution in recent years and is expected to grow rapidly in this year.

However, the field of augmented reality seems to be evolving much quicker than virtual reality (Singh, par, 1). One of the trends that have characterized the current state of augmented reality is the increased adoption and use of AR devices for commercial and enterprise solutions. Industries such as manufacturing, aerospace and logistics are increasingly adopting augmented reality technology for their daily operations. Augmented reality systems and applications have become common in the modern business environment because of their unique features that help advance business operations.

These applications and systems consist of unique features and provide new learning opportunities for businesses, which in turn influences their use as solutions for improving business operations (Wu et al., p.41). Augmented reality makes for a compelling business scenario because of its advantages over virtual reality. In its current state, the adoption and use of augmented reality systems and applications is relatively easy than virtual reality.

This is largely because AR has relatively less obstacles to deal with unlike virtual reality, which is complex because its designed within 3D artificial landscapes. Augmented reality makes for a compelling business case because its adoption basically entails overlaying existing environment with information.  The field of augmented reality is currently characterized by the development of different AR devices and applications. These applications and devices are developed to help users experience augmented reality using the mobile devices and headsets.

There are various augmented reality headsets that are available in the market and with different capabilities depending on the users’ needs including Microsoft’s HoloLens and Facebook’s Oculus VR headset. Leading app development companies are increasingly incorporating augmented reality elements/features to their applications for different uses, particularly in retail and the gaming industry (Thomas, par, 7). Given the increased development of AR devices and applications, they are utilized across different educational and commercial fields.

In education, augmented reality is currently used by a growing number of medical students for surgical practices in a controlled environment. For patients, the adoption and use of AR enables them to obtain information regarding their medical conditions. The increased use of augmented reality in the medical field has enhanced the sensory perception capabilities of surgeons and lessened the risk of operations. In the tourism industry, AR is currently used to enable tourists to easily see and read facts and figures as they visit and navigate historic sites.

AR technology is also currently utilized in military across various settings such as military training facilities for simulation purposes and for analyzing critical data like the exact location of the adversary. Additionally, augmented reality devices and applications are used for navigation through integration with GPS systems (Thomas, par, 18). Companies Involved in the AR Space As previously indicated, augmented reality has gained significant attention in the business world and across various industries including logistics and manufacturing.

Given its compelling business case, AR is adopted and utilized by various companies for enhanced business operations and achievement of desired business objectives. Some of the companies that are currently involved in this space include Microsoft, Google, and Apple. These companies have been involved in the creation of augmented reality systems and applications that allow customers to experience reality based on their needs. Microsoft has created HoloLens device, which is an AR device that enables users to interact with digitally-created objects in the real world.

While Google has created Google Glass AR device, Apple Inc. recently announced plans to create a wearable augmented reality device (Singh, par, 20). In addition to these companies, there is a growing number of top app development firms such as Magic Leap that are increasing embracing the concept of augmented reality applications. As a result of these initiatives, the augmented reality space is currently heating up with enhanced competition and development of AR solutions for the business world.

Future Implications of Augmented Reality Since augmented reality has transformed modern society and continues to evolve, its expected to have significant impacts in the future. Augmented reality is expected to have significant impacts on the society through generating changes or transforming various educational and commercial fields. AR has endless possibilities because of their combination with the technology of mobile devices and applications.

In light of its current use in the medical field, augmented reality is expected to simplify surgical practices by providing a framework for surgery to be performed using virtual reality applications or devices.

Moreover, the capabilities of augmented reality technology will enable surgeries to be conducted in a safe environment and enhance patient experiences and outcomes through lessening the chances of medical problems in the aftermath of the surgical operation.  Secondly, it is expected that AR will be adopted and used in other industries including archaeology, industrial design, emergency management, architecture, art, disaster recovery, construction, and search and rescue (Pesce, par, 10).

The anticipated use of AR in these sectors is attributable to the fact that there is ongoing research to develop relevant devices and applications for these industries. These industries will be the most affected sectors as well as the field of education, military, gaming, entertainment, tourism, sports, and the medicine. Through widespread adoption and use across various industries, augmented reality will eventually become part of everyday life.

For example, children will use it in schools, shoppers will use it to examine products, and architects and planners will use it for development of new buildings and properties (Brandon, par, 3). In the business sector, it is expected that the fields of marketing and advertising will explode with AR devices and applications.

Marketers and advertisers are expected to embrace these devices because they provide improved capabilities for connecting with existing and new customers.  Problems in Adapting to the Technology While augmented reality will have numerous positive impacts and transform the future, its also associated with some negative impacts. The development of AR devices and applications will contribute to the emergence of a society where people are extremely dependent on technology for daily life activities.

This society will be characterized by increased interactions with digital objects for normal life activities like never before. The increased dependence on digital devices for everyday life activities because of AR capabilities will contribute to numerous issues, especially social relations. One of the major problems that will arise as people adapt to the technology is poor interpersonal relation skills. People are likely to experience difficulties in relating with others because of their dependence on technology for nearly every aspect of life.

Even though the technology will enhance interconnectedness when combined with mobile devices, it will generate problems in social relations through creating an environment where people are forced to interact with digital devices for normal life activities. According to Brandon, the other problem that is likely to arise as people adapt to the technology is as much time looking for recreations of reality as seeking reality itself (par, 20). The increased adaption and use of AR will make people dependent on the insight provided by its devices and applications.

Consequently, people will end up spending more time looking for recreations of reality as compared to.