The future belongs to the new generation of AR devices that allow us to experience differently the world around us

Augmented reality is a technology that in recent years has known an exponential growth, basing his strength on one simple concept: using technology to improve and enrich the reality in which we are living.

How? A specific software overlays digital contents (e.g. images, text or 3D models) on the surrounding that are filmed by a simple camera.

This technique may be supported by wearable devices (e.g. viewers, lens or glasses), which purpose is to create and insert a virtual level into the real world.

This is done through the use of screens where holograms are projected, or using a system very similar to the VR (virtual reality) headset, but where the environment that the user can see is an image of the actual world, given by the use of cameras on the device.

Another version of an AR tool could be a product that does not overlay digital images on the screen but just provides more information about the surroundings, and therefore it augments the perceived reality.

Considering all the above, it is not surprising that wearable devices have their own market, which has exploded after the AR technology advent, and it is divided in two different macro areas: those products intended for a domestic use and those intended for an industrial application.

Domestic use: entertainment and gaming

Originally, augmented reality was created with an entertainment purpose, in order to create a “wow” effect and amaze the customers.

In this regard, AR wearables devices have been created to support specific industries (e.g. gaming or social media) that want to involve more deeply the user.

The AR tool market has created models that, even though represent a big step ahead for the technological development, do not keep up with the evolution of VR headsets, which are definitely more developed, especially for domestic use.

Nevertheless, we can find on the market some very interesting solutions of AR wearable devices, such as glasses, lens and headset. 

Industrial application: the future of manufacture

We just said that AR devices for domestic purpose are still under improvement, but it is not the same for industrial application. This is where augmented reality shows its true potential.

Some researches reported that 98% of companies expect to improve by next year their efficiency through the use of AR technologies. 

Let’s try to list some of the possible industries that may benefit from the introduction of AR wearable devices in their operating processes:

• Engineering
• Automotive
• Architecture
• Constructions
• Maintenance

For example, our innovative portable system, Kiber 3, may represent a unique opportunity for companies to increase their productivity while reducing operating costs.

How? Thanks to its combination of hardware (an helmet equipped with a head camera, a binocular visor, a handcam and a headset) connected to a software, that companies can use remotely.

The remote assistance plus the fact that it is a hand-free device, allow our product to have a wide range of possible applications.

Read also: AR and VR technology: here the difference

Conclusions

Whether we are talking about an AR wearable device for domestic use or industrial application, we are still talking about the same kind of technology, only applied with two different purposes and at different levels.

In both cases, these are technologies that, in the near future, will totally change the rules of the game for their application industries.

The market of wearable devices, in fact, has grown exponentially, following their technological development.

This is the sign that augmented reality and its supporting devices will change not only our private life, but, more importantly, the way we approach to the workplace.