True, augmented reality is still associated with games like Pokemon Go and enjoyable activities like using Snapchat filters. The potential benefits of Augmented Reality in the business world, however, are not limited to these two domains. The technology has entered various business verticals and transformed them. It has proven to be an ideal weapon for achieving success in today’s competitive market.
However, if you are still unaware of the benefits of augmented reality in the business world, this article is for you. In this section, I will assist you in understanding the impact and role of augmented reality in business and various processes. As a result, you will be able to better prepare your brand for ‘digitally augmented reality.AR Impact On Different Industries (& Real Use Cases)
When it comes to industries where AR has made an impact, gaming, retail, food, and travel and tourism are at the top of the list. However, AR applications are not limited to these business sectors. In a variety of other industries, augmented reality technology has assisted entrepreneurs in addressing core challenges and increasing profits. The following are some of the businesses that use augmented reality and the benefits of augmented reality in business.Table of Content:
#1 Healthcare
AR plays a significant role in the development of medical and healthcare apps. This technology provides healthcare professionals, medical students, and others with new opportunities and benefits for a better experience. Some of the ways it is transforming the industry are as follows:Augmented diagnosis
Patients frequently overlook minor symptoms or fail to describe them to doctors. As a result, healthcare professionals are unable to diagnose and provide appropriate services to them. However, with the help of AR technology, the two can more effectively understand the symptoms and diagnose, resulting in better results. AccuVein, for example, allows nurses and healthcare practitioners to precisely locate veins by projecting a handheld scanner onto the patients’ skin. This shortens the procedure, makes it less painful, and increases patient satisfaction.Augmented Surgery
Previously, it was difficult for surgeons and other healthcare professionals to perform a complicated surgery successfully with only a few days’ notice. However, with the introduction of augmented reality in the surgical process, it has become far too simple. Surgeons can now gain real-time access to life-saving patient information, study it precisely, and overlay the patient anatomy over the body to perform surgery accurately. They can see every part of the body and thus ensure that no other organ is harmed during surgery. This results in a higher surgical success rate and a shorter recovery time. Currently, hospitals such as Imperial College and St. Mary’s Hospital in London are using this technology for reconstructive surgery on patients with severe injuries.Augmented Training and Practice
Another advantage of using augmented reality for business in healthcare is that it makes training sessions more systematic. Rather than random training in a dissection lab, it exposes medical students to real-life medical situations and asks them to act. This not only helps to assess students’ knowledge and wits, but also how they deal with stress and other emotions while treating patients.#2 Military
Another application of augmented reality in business is reshaping the military landscape. In fact, this is one of the most important industries being disrupted by AR technology. When it comes to the use of augmented reality in the military, the technology is assisting soldiers in preparing for battle, disposing of bombs and other explosive elements, improving their skills at using various weapons, and so on without putting their lives in danger. It adds labels to the real-world scenario and improves navigation services – even in the dark. Furthermore, the technology enables the benefits of remote maintenance to be realised.#3 Entertainment
With the advent of Augmented Reality, one of the industries that is improving is entertainment (AR). In numerous ways, technology has impacted all subdomains of the industry, whether it is music, live events, or movies. As an example:AR in Music Industry
AR-powered earbuds and other equipment add an augmented layer on top of real audio to improve the listening experience of users. And that, too, is personalised based on background noise and other filters.AR in Movies
When discussing the benefits of augmented reality for business in the field of TV shows and movies, the technology is assisting directors in adding unrealistic/non-existent elements into the movies such as dinosaurs, enabling dancers with physical disabilities to perform effortlessly, and displaying various effects on the screen. Furthermore, it allows users to see real-time subtitles while watching a TV show. Iron Man, Minority Report, Avatar, and Terminator are among the films that have used augmented reality technology.AR in Media
Augmented Reality is also playing an important role in the media industry. To make a better impression, media experts can use technology to improve the effectiveness of multimedia, games, videos, and presentations. It encourages them to share their content in a more interactive manner and enjoy better results. They could also make Augmented Reality Filter games that has now become very popular.#4 Manufacturing and Supply chain
The use of augmented reality and mobile apps in the manufacturing industry is a major reason for the industry’s unprecedented growth. As an example:Less time required to maintain all the manufacturing processes.
People in the field of manufacturing and supply chain management are frequently preoccupied with locating the correct location of the required object/equipment. This eventually leads to an increase in the amount of time required to complete any task. In this scenario, AR assists them in determining the location of the object by adding virtual labels to it, viewing the 3D image of each element, and gaining access to navigation information. Something that, in the end, simplifies and shortens the process.Higher customer experience
Customers can track their shipment in real time, from the warehouse to their door, thanks to Ar-powered parcel service mobile applications. The app also provides product information such as size, weight, and price. Customers have a better experience as a result, which leads to a higher positive response.#5 Real Estate
When it comes to comprehending the advantages of augmented reality in real estate, technology has undeniably paved the way for greater success. It has assisted Entrepreneurs in expanding their real estate business beyond the constraints of current tools. Among these restrictions are the following:Unappealing text description of apartments.
Despite the fact that real estate agents create really impressive descriptions of the apartments, many still fail to connect. They find it tedious to read all of the details and imagine how the property looks in person. In this case, augmented reality engages the target audience in a more interactive manner, resulting in higher conversion.Longer time to make a decision..
Many times, users are unsure whether the proposed property is suitable for the type of amenities they want in their home. The primary reason for this is that photos depict a 2D image of the property. Augmented Reality allows users to see and interact with a 3D image of the property. That is, they can move products from one corner to another, giving them a better idea of how their house will look. Furthermore, the technology facilitates the process of measuring the dimensions of the apartment/land in real-time. Overall, this enables them to make a decision in less time and without compromising on any factor. IKEA Place and Curate are two of the best examples of Augmented Reality integration in the Real Estate domain.#6 Education and Training
Another industry undergoing transformational change as a result of the introduction of Augmented Reality is education and training. Technology has aided students and teachers in dealing with a variety of current issues, such as –Difficulty in understanding the concept
Students and teachers frequently fail to present a comprehensive picture of the concepts. They limit their visualisation ability to the angle highlighted in the books and references. As a result, they frequently struggle to gain a thorough understanding of the concept and determine its real-world implications. AR technology allows them to view a 3D model of the object and see how the entire concept works in front of them. They can get a 360-degree view of the concepts, which piques their interest, prompts new questions, and leads to greater application of the same.Short-memory retention power
With the majority of study material available in text form, many students struggle to grasp the concept due to limited memory power. In this context, augmented reality (AR) makes information available in visual form, allowing them to virtually touch everything. This facilitates the processing of remembering the information, resulting in high end performance.No Practical Knowledge
Another advantage of AR in education is that it allows students and graduates to test their theoretical knowledge and better prepare for their jobs.Issues with student performance evaluation
AR not only assists students in receiving information in a more interactive manner, but it also simplifies the task of teachers. It gives them the ability to expose students to a virtual environment and watch how they react to things around them. In this manner, assign grades based on student performance rather than crammed information. Human Anatomy Atlas is one of the best examples of augmented reality in education. This mobile app displays over 10,000 anatomical 3D models of the human body and provides associated information in multiple languages, as well as options such as rotating and interacting with organs individually.#7 Social Media
Last but not least, Augmented Reality is changing the way people interact with one another on social media. On the one hand, the technology allows users to bring their updates to life with catchy AR filters, as well as see all of their posts and interactions overlaid on their device’s display in the form of a grid, as seen in the TweetReality app. On the other hand, it provides brands with the opportunity to deliver an immersive experience to their target user base through AR stories, 360-degree videos, AR-focused ads, and AR games. Currently, social networking platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, and TikTok allow users to add AR features to their content and share it with their app peers. Snapchat, in fact, launched a Lens Studio app in 2018 to allow users to create their own AR filters. As previously stated, the use of augmented reality in the business world has left a lasting impression on all. AR business ideas make it difficult for traditional business processes to thrive in the market. In such a scenario, every entrepreneur must invest in Augmented reality app development to grow their business. Because technology is still evolving, you may find yourself perplexed about when and how to embrace augmented reality business opportunities. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at how to prepare your Augmented reality business plan and reap the benefits.How to Integrate Augmented Reality Into Your Business?
Here is a road map to follow when discussing how augmented reality is used in business:1. Do market research
Rather than believing the hype, you must delve deeper into your business market and comprehend the potential of technology. You must put effort into augmented reality market analysis as well as competitive analysis to see what AR can be used for, what its future holds, and how the technology has helped them build a different image in the marketplace.2. Examine internal business challenges
While learning about how others are profiting from AR, it is critical to understand the limitations of your current business processes. This entails investigating the various segments of your business and bringing individual teams on board to gain a clear picture of the challenges they face. Later, we’ll go over how to create augmented reality apps for Android or iOS.3. Hire an AR App Expert
Once the problem and the outcomes possible with the inclusion of AR in business is evaluated, the next thing to do is to select the right AR VR development company . Digitalfren is one of the Augmented Reality Companies, which has years of experience developing augmented reality apps for businesses, will assist you in becoming acquainted with how the technology can mitigate the challenges you are currently facing. Furthermore, they can provide sound advice on which Augmented Reality app features to prioritise when estimating the cost of developing an application. When integrated into your business processes, an AR-based mobile application can help you stand out from the crowd, engage your audience, and drive higher revenue.Contact us at Digitalfren and discuss the possibility of entering the ‘digitally augmented’ business world and reaping the additional benefits of augmented reality in business processes.