What is augmented reality? Contrary to what one might think, this technology has been around for decades. It is its use that has become widespread, and of course, it is now technically much more advanced.
Beginners still confuse augmented reality with virtual reality. Clarifying the differences between these two concepts will help you better understand AR. Also discover the common uses of the technology and its future, because yes, this technology has not yet reached the full extent of its capabilities.
What is augmented reality in concrete terms?
Augmented reality is simply a technology that allows you to overlay two worlds: your real environment and 100% virtual elements in 2D or 3D. The digital part integrated into the real view can be a simple image. This is the case for photo customizations on social networks. The digital layer can also be a video or a video game. In the latter case, the real environment serves as a backdrop for the characters, much like Pokémon Go. This game, in fact, gave a new boost to AR in terms of popularization.
What is the difference between augmented reality and virtual reality?
Many still confuse virtual reality and augmented reality, which are actually quite different. Knowing that both technologies involve 3D modeling, it’s easy to see why they lead to misunderstandings. To understand this difference, note that virtual reality (VR) is a simple 3D representation of a real situation. This is the case with flight simulators or vehicle driving simulators, for example. Augmented reality, on the other hand, consists of integrating virtual elements into the real world. For instance, you can visualize a landscaped garden on your still-blank lot thanks to AR.
Augmented reality, a powerful marketing tool
With numerous applications and video games (Pokemon Go, Temple Treasure Hunt, Geo AR Games, …) augmented reality is often associated with playful and immersive activities. However, this technology is not limited to entertainment. It is also and especially a powerful marketing tool. By integrating this technology into your online store to make trying on possible, you enhance the shopping experience, but not only that. Customers spend more time on your site and are more likely to share this innovative and enjoyable experience. For businesses, leverage the potential of augmented reality to leave a lasting impression during your events.
A 2.0 educational support?
Integrated into a learning context, augmented reality is also gaining ground. From small classes to large universities, educators are captivated by this technology’s ability to enrich teaching. Imagine children on a school trip in a museum. With this technology, they can have a concrete image of characters associated with specific objects or a given era. Students in architecture can concretely visualize their project on-site. Medical students also recognize the revolution brought by AR, which offers precise visual information for each case to be treated.
What does augmented reality bring to the real estate industry?
The real estate sector is among those that widely use augmented reality. But what can this technology really offer this industry? By allowing you to overlay virtual elements onto the real world, AR multiplies the possibilities for real estate professionals. Developers, for instance, can provide a 3D extension of a physical plan to enable clients to visualize the project in detail. The interior designer, for her part, films an empty room and integrates, thanks to augmented reality, the elements of decoration (furniture, decor items, wall colors, …). And still, this is just a tiny part of what you can do.
What does this concept still hold for us?
With algorithms becoming increasingly complex, technology is becoming more sophisticated. The perspectives of augmented reality usage are expanding as research progresses. It is especially at the level of devices that brands are innovating. For example, there is talk of developing contact lenses that integrate augmented reality technology. This means displaying information (notifications, weather, …) within your field of vision. The concept truly belongs to science fiction, but it must be recognized that all these next-gen technologies and objects transport us to another dimension.
