What is Augmented Reality? How will it affect us? Why is it being considered so heavily in the tech world? We will explore the future, applications, and costs of this new technology. But before we go into that, let’s quickly take a look at the basics on how it works and how it will impact our daily lives? 

Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates a totally artificial environment, AR is the integration of digital transformation with the user’s environment in real time, allowing users to experience a real-world environment with generated perceptual information.

Augmented reality can visually change natural environments in some way or provide additional information to its users. The primary benefit of AR is that it manages to blend digital and three-dimensional (3D) components with an individual’s perception of the real world. With a variety of uses, AR can help not only in entertaining users, but also in making decisions.

How does AR work?

Augmented reality can be delivered in a variety of formats, including within smartphones, tablets, and glasses. Delivery through contact lenses is also being developed. The technology requires hardware components, such as a processor, sensors, a display and input devices, typically available on mobile devices, with sensors including cameras, accelerometers, Global Positioning System (GPS) and solid-state compasses. For example, a GPS can help pinpoint a user’s location while the compass can detect device orientation. This helps make AR more accessible to the everyday user. 

Sophisticated AR programs include machine vision, object recognition and gesture recognition, used by the military. AR can be computationally intensive, so if a device lacks processing power, data processing can be offloaded to a different machine.

Augmented reality apps are written in special 3D programs that enable developers to tie animation or contextual digital information in the computer program to an augmented reality marker in the real world. When a computing device’s AR app or browser plugin receives digital information from a known marker, it begins to execute the marker’s code and layer the correct image or images.

The augmented world is a combination of real and virtual objects, including 3D models. Augmented reality is generally achieved through computer vision, and differs from virtual reality, which transports users to completely digital worlds through the use of haptic sensors and headsets. For example, in games and medical training, users can use AR to practice surgery on real patients, or they can use augmented reality to help a surgeon perform delicate surgery.

Applications

The latest innovations in AR can change how we shop through virtual fitting room. AR enables shoppers to try on clothes in a virtual store without physically going to the store. This technology combines natural interaction with augmented reality to create a seamless experience. Customers can view their own creations while simultaneously interacting with the augmented environment. As a result, AR can be used in an unprecedented variety of ways. The applications of AR go far beyond gaming and are already being used in the academic and military realms.

AR has already become widely adopted through AR games and mobile experiences, such as Pokémon Go. The technology enables users to interact with 3D objects, check information in real time, and project images with high resolution. As this technology becomes increasingly widespread, many Augmented Reality app developers and designers believe it is the design of the future. Listed below are some of the benefits of AR technology. 

The healthcare industry has also stepped up its use of AR in recent years. The use of AR in this field could change the way doctors diagnose and treat patients, including in the case of difficult-to-understand topics such as physiology and anatomy. AR-based tools, such as the Microsoft Hololens 2, can provide doctors with real-time information during a procedure, and can even help doctors simulate procedures. In addition, the technology can also enhance the learning experience for medical students, who can use it to visualize anatomy.

Privacy Concerns

Privacy concerns with Augmented Reality aren’t new. Many organizations have experienced privacy problems when using augmented reality products and services. It’s important to keep in mind that AR platforms are largely unregulated, so you should always read the privacy policies before using them. In some cases, a company’s privacy policies may include a section where you can opt out of sharing your data. Likewise, a company’s privacy policy may require you to give consent before allowing a third party to view your data.

Another concern that participants raised was the potential for unwanted virtual content to be overlaid on the physical world. This same concern applies to more traditional technologies, where information may be overlaid continuously on the screen. Moreover, AR defenses must consider the contexts of single and multi-user AR applications, as well as malicious applications. Furthermore, users could pose a threat to the privacy of others by leaking or storing private data.

Cost

There are several factors that affect the cost of Augmented Reality development. Generally, entry-level apps are free, while enterprise-level apps cost more. Additionally, the cost of AR development depends on whether you want the app to be customized. The costs may also increase if you want a customized app, which is why you should make sure you hire a great developer. The following table gives you an idea of what these costs may be.

The technology stack you select will also affect the cost of your augmented reality project. For example, the cost of an AR SDK (software development kit) varies greatly. One should also consider the platform on which you plan to develop your app, the type of functionality you need, and any monitoring and identification requirements. Vuforia is a well-known AR platform and the cost of a monthly corporate license ranges from $99 to $1,990.