This is How Augmented Reality Will Reshape Our Future

We see new technologies and trends emerge almost every day. Last year, we saw Virtual Reality making its way into various sectors. Among these latest developments, Augmented Reality is one such technology that is here to stay and become an indispensable part of our lives. Augmented Reality uses the existing environment and overlays additional information on top of that.

If you are still unclear about what AR is, then all you have to do is go back and remember the time Pokémon Go took over the internet by storm. The game revolves around players catching digital monsters. Similarly, apps such as Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram offer users with filters which overlay animated images onto users’ faces.

You will now be wondering how this technology can reshape or transform our future. Augmented Reality could bring about a lot of changes and development to various industries. Let’s find out what they are.

Real Estate

We all dream of living in the perfectly designed house that boasts of our style and statement. With the augmented reality, that dream might just come true. AR uses interactive computer-generated images, which allows the buyers to envision the finished property while it is still under construction. The benefit of this technology in the real estate industry is that it can transform all 2D models such as blueprints and photos into 3D models for buyers to easily interact with.

Builders and real estate agents will find it convenient to display the properties with such an immersive experience. And not just that, interested buyers can also modify the colour, furniture, room sizes and more based on what they would want the completed design to look like. Envisioning your completed property with AR even before it is built is an advantageous marketing tool for selling a property.

Shopping

Online shopping is slowly taking over the traditional way of shopping. However, it is uncertainty that stops buyers from buying things online. AR making its way in the shopping industry could most definitely move potential buyers towards online shopping. With the growth of augmented reality at the store, customers can view products in a highly realistic manner in their preferred environment.

It will also become easier for marketers to share product catalogues with up-to-date information. Additionally, shopping experiences can be enhanced with AR glasses being available at every retail store or supermarket. These glasses will display all the pricing, design, and product specs to the buyers while shopping. Augmented Reality could definitely change the way people shop.

Travel

The travel industry is another sector that augmented reality could revolutionize. Although virtual reality has a bigger role to play in the travel industry, augmented reality could still be seen as huge change. AR-based applications on smartphones will help tourists and travellers check and find local tourists attractions nearby and translate boards and signs instantly into their native language.

Moreover, exploring and visiting local attractions, theme parks and zoos with augmented reality will help travellers have the most extraordinary trip. The technology will display 3D models of landmarks and take travellers back in time showing them the evolution brought with time. AR for the travel industry is not just about the fun factor, but also adds an educational element for the travellers.

Healthcare

While people are getting used to being transported into the world of 3D that does not really exist with Virtual Reality headsets, AR is already being used in the pharma and healthcare industry, to save lots of lives. However, that is not all. Augmented reality can be of major assistance to healthcare organizations in helping them perfect their existing processes. AR will provide surgeons with an in-depth knowledge of the risks involved with minimally invasive surgeries and help them perform effectively.

Surgeries earlier required different types of monitors which would display the patient’s vital statistics through an endoscopic camera. Leaving all these hassles behind, doctors can wear AR smart glasses which will display all the pertinent information while they are performing the surgery and helping them stay focused on the task at hand.

Education

Augmented reality in the educational sector could be a huge game-changer towards how children learn. The technology will provide students with immersive content that will help them understand the concepts. With the help of engaging 3D models, students can grasp complex information in an easier manner providing them with a wider understanding of topics.

In our dynamic day and age, museums and historical sites have incorporated AR features to their exhibits to stay at par with technology. This is a great way for people to explore and gain additional informative knowledge. AR is all about exploration, which eventually leads students towards learning and understanding. This is a win-win for both technology and the educational industry.

Conclusion:

There is no doubt that Augmented Reality will reshape more than just these five industries. As devices adapt to the new technology, the growth of Augmented Reality is exponentially huge. With so many positive advantages, AR could fundamentally change what it is to be human.

This is How Augmented Reality Will Reshape Our Future was originally published in Hacker Noon on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.