AR Glasses for Businesses
AR glasses are electronic eyewear that add a layer of digital information on top of the real world. They have multiple uses for businesses, including enhancing communication and boosting productivity.
Apple’s rumored AR glasses have been in the works for some time. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will release a helmet-type headset in 2022 and then a “glasses type” AR device by 2025.
Enhanced Communication
The average person has probably played around with AR technology, whether by putting on a pair of Snapchat lenses to display star constellations or using augmented reality to add virtual flowers to the frame of a photo. But the real thing is still a bit off, and it may take four years or more for every-day, everyday AR glasses to be available.
These new wearable devices are like a heads-up display for your eyes. They can augment reality with digital overlays and are used in fields such as retail, healthcare, manufacturing, navigation, and education. They can provide users with information and data to improve productivity. They can also give people a new way to communicate.
For example, a worker can use them to see a virtual picking list while in the warehouse so they can quickly locate items and save time. In the healthcare industry, nurses and doctors ar smart glasses can use them to access patient data and instructions without breaking eye contact. And the military can use them for training simulations and situational awareness on the battlefield.
Unlike virtual reality, which immerses the user in an artificial world, AR enhances the existing environment. But the technology is in its early stages and will continue to evolve and expand. For example, a recent Google purchase, the startup North, is developing AR software that can recognize the structure of a room and place images of things such as curtains and potted plants in that space.
Enhanced Product Knowledge
Unlike virtual reality, which creates a total change in the environment, AR integrates the digital world with the real one. It uses existing cameras, sensors and display devices to create a live mix of the two worlds. It also allows users to interact with digital elements and captures images for storage.
The technology is being used in a variety of ways, from children playing with virtual characters to professionals collaborating on a shared design. It can help students learn faster, improve manufacturing processes, and increase the safety of workers.
For example, augmented reality software on smartphones allows users to access information about products by scanning their surroundings with the camera. The smartphone then translates the data into a user-friendly format. AR glasses can expand on this by allowing users to view holographic displays or watch augmented reality TV. They can also make calls and use other features like GPS.
Another potential application is in the field of medicine and retail. Augmented reality software can be used to assist doctors with surgery or allow consumers to quickly find a product in the store. For example, a grocery store could display coupons and special offers for products as shoppers walk by them. A visual search feature can highlight ingredients for those with allergies or dietary restrictions. It can also provide directions to a store and show the fastest route.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
In a retail setting, AR can be used to improve the customer buying experience. For example, customers can visualize furniture in their own home before they purchase it, which ar smart glasses increases satisfaction and reduces costly returns. Additionally, customers can customize products to their own tastes using AR, which can increase sales and customer loyalty.
In addition, customers can use AR to compare items and prices before purchasing. The IKEA Place app is a great example of this. Customers can point a smartphone built-in camera at a piece of IKEA furniture and see how it will look in their room before making a purchase. This functionality eliminates the need to change clothes in store or order multiple sizes of a product online, and it saves time for both the customer and retailer.
Moreover, consumers can use AR to better understand their insurance policies. This augmented reality application helps them visualize damaged items, calculate the cost of repair, and explain available insurance plans. It also allows them to easily understand their coverage limits and exclusions.
The future of AR is bright, and companies that neglect to invest in this technology risk losing their customers to competitors who embrace this digital drift. While there are many challenges that companies must overcome in order to utilize AR, leveraging this tool can significantly enhance the customer experience.
Enhanced Sales
AR can help improve sales by providing customers with a virtual product experience. It also helps reduce purchase anxiety that can make shoppers hesitate to buy a product online. For example, Wayfair’s augmented reality allows customers to see how furniture will look in their home before buying. Similarly, Sephora’s augmented reality application overlays different makeup styles and shades on the customer’s face to help them decide what to buy.
Other uses of AR include comparison shopping in-store and enhancing field service. For example, Ikea’s augmented reality allows customers to view 3D models of furniture and appliances in their homes before making a purchase. The application can also identify potential obstacles and offer solutions for them. AR can also improve the productivity of employees by providing them with real-time information and guidance, allowing them to work more efficiently and accurately.
When selecting an AR solution, it is important to consider the size of the display and the fidelity of the digital object. The size of the display should be large enough to be visible in a person’s field of vision, and the fidelity should be high enough that it appears realistic. A good solution should also be compatible with existing hardware and software systems. Lastly, it should be easy to use and comfortable to wear, especially when employees are working in hazardous environments.
