Reading Time: 9 minutes

Starting from all the superhero movies to the science-fiction-laden silver screen, augmented reality is never off the charts. When we watched and got consumed into this fantasy world, did we ever think that this could be real? At least I didn’t.  But hey, look at us now!

Thanks to the existence of automated computing hardware, augmented reality is not fiction anymore. Today we are here to discuss the basics of this technology and why it is evolving at such a rapid pace! Are you ready to know about the most wanted tech trend? I bet you are!

Augmented reality (AR) has become so viable that even businesses and corporations are using it to increase sales and make the most out of it.  AR is about to transform the way we handle technology shortly. Who am I kidding? I think it has already started.

Stay with us till the end of this article to know more about AR. You surely don’t want to miss this!

The thing is, though reality is a three-dimensional space, we are trapped in a two-dimensional arena when it comes to handling data on the virtual screen. This is a domain that has a high potential for improvement. Don’t you think?

This is exactly where the world of AR comes in and I cannot wait to share the details with you. So, follow up!

What is augmented reality?

To begin with, augmented reality is a technology that allows us to experience the projection of digital information onto the world. AR is a middle ground between fantasy and reality. You may be wondering how! Well, AR doesn’t replace the real world with a digital one. On the contrary, AR just places digital objects onto the real-world backdrop.

Are you getting confused? Well, just read through, and you will get the hang of it!

There are loads of popular examples of AR these days. For example,

• Mobile games like Pokemon Go frame digital characters around you in the real world. How fascinating is that?

• In addition to this, Google Maps has also added several AR characteristics that help the users with directions in the real world.

• Then several smartphone apps use AR in smart ways through embedded cameras.
• Also, modern hardware, for instance, Microsoft HoloLens, also called Google Glass, has diversified the use of AR.

How are they doing so? Well, they implement hands-free, immersive, AR. this is further used for diverse activities including commercial, business, as well as educational purposes.

How to use augmented reality in business?

Here comes the question of the year: How can businesses use Augmented Reality!

After discovering the vast use case of Augmented Reality, how can we not capitalize it, right? Guess what! The AR market is expected to be hit a mark of around USD 60.55 billion by 2023.

Can you imagine? And, to touch such a remarkable number, the biggest brands in tech had to be involved. Don’t you agree with me on this? Names like Google, HTC, Samsung, and Microsoft are doing the rounds in the domain of commercializing augmented reality.

Talking of commercializing augmented reality, we at TheCodeWork are working on some AR applications that can be used by startups and businesses. Reach to us, if you want to know more about it.

Using AR in business

Okay, So coming to the most important part, there are 2 broad ways in which AR can help startups and businesses:

1. Its capability for internal use helps the team and the business from within.
2. And, its commercial viability for consumers and its usage in the market.

Allow me to explain a bit more.

Suppose you are the owner of a warehouse company. You are aware that the company doesn’t need a smartphone app, right? However, there are several ways in which smartphone apps can help you internally. Like, scheduling or keeping a track of the stock and so on. This in turn will save a lot of time and ensure productivity.

This is what I mean by internal use.

Now suppose your warehouse has stocked up on furniture and decorative goods. Then the respective company may want a smartphone app that lets customers see how a piece of furniture would look in their home before the final purchase. Sounds legit, right?

That’s the external use and viability I have been talking about.

Here’s a real-life example though – The global Furniture brand, IKEA has started using AR for this very reason. IKEA Place app has is very popular among its users. See the greatness already?

Ways to use AR in business

Now here comes the best part! Augmented reality has just been discovered and its uses seem to be endless. It has the potential to change the world, especially in the post-pandemic era.

Have a look at the various ways in which businesses can implement AR:

• Remote support: AR applications help users and technicians to interact with experts while working from any part of the world. These AR apps also provide tech support to mark objects in the technician or user’s field of view.  This helps them get the work done without the hyperchaos. How cool is that?

This new approach to getting things done also help save time and smoothen the process of work being done. Clever, I know!

Source: Proactive investors

• Education: This is one of the most important fields of AR application. Trust me when I say this. See, since the global pandemic hit our lives, kids have been captured in the shackles of remote classes. This may be fun initially, but of course, it is boring.

They are missing friends and being tied to the screen can be exhausting which led to a disruption in the level of education. This is exactly where AR can help boost the industry of education.

There are exceptional AR apps for education already. Augmented reality headsets, for instance, the HoloLens – have the potential to deliver an exceptional learning experience.

AR will enable the 3D presentation of pictures from textbooks, zooming into which the students can get a high-defined view. This will enhance the drooping levels of focus concerned with remote education. Don’t you think?

• 3D modeling: AR is a great way to enhance the design and modeling procedure concerned with building & designing activities.

Some AR apps already exist that import as well as display AutoCAD files in the real world. Why not explore this part a bit more?

• Training: Again with the post-pandemic and also the current situation, AR can help solve the problem of training newbies in a company. These companies are the ones that work in real space and do not have the luxury of working from home. For example, civil engineers maybe?

And trust me, this is a real thing. Brands like Verizon, Walmart, Honeywell, as well as Chipotle are already using AR training apps. 

There is this virtual world where the trainees allow to work in and make mistakes without having any real-world outcomes. See the fun?

• Keeping customers in a store: This part is about making the retail experience even better and smoother.Imagine sitting at home and getting the feels of the real-world retail experience even during lockdowns?

Oh wait, you don’t have to imagine.  Heard of the beauty brand Sephora? Well, they have been using AR apps for their customers for some time now. Gosh, people are moving ahead!

Buckle up!

What technology is needed to use augmented reality?

Initially, it may be daunting to implement AR in your business. In addition to that understanding, most of the commercial applications of AR have some extensive hardware requirements. So what to do now?

Why worry when TheCodeWork is here! Just reach out to us if you want to implement AR in your business.

Anyway if you want to do it by yourself, even that is viable. Applying augmented reality is as easy as handling a smartphone with a camera. I am not even kidding!

Just that you need advanced hardware which is easy to operate hands-free. In addition to that, this hardware has to be devised for business AR use cases. Are you getting my point?

And if you are thinking about AR hardware to use AR, then a processor, a display, camera, GPS, microphone, etc, is everything that you will need to implement AR services.

What are the most popular augmented reality platforms?

Okay, so we are going to talk about AR platforms now. But before we do that, let’s differentiate between AR development kits & AR programming languages, shall we? 

See, the AR development kits comprise software like:

•  Apple’s ARKit

• RealityKit

• Reality Composer

• Google’s ARCore

Apart from these,  Microsoft’s HoloLens is pretty popular as well. It majorly relies on basic Windows development skills. This kind of hardware has better functionality as well. Sounds good, right?

Here’s an interesting part – no matter how simple or complex AR you want to develop/implement, you will always require skilled developers. Moreover, That’s one thing for sure when we talk about developing AR apps.

Even self-sustaining development kits like ARCore and ARKit need skilled programmers proficient in popular languages.

You know what? Let me hand you a list of the most in-demand AR programming languages. You have to see this. Here we go:

• C#
• Java
• C/C++
• Python
• JavaScript
• Swift
• Visual development tools

How can my business start using augmented reality?

However, This is a very comprehensive part, so let’s proceed slow and steadily –

• The very first step to answer this question is – identifying how your business can use Augmented reality. Don’t you agree?
• The next step includes – finding the right approach to implementing AR in your business. Deciding on the hardware (Google Glass or HoloLens) can be tricky.
• After you get done with the first two pointers, you decide on the AR platform that you want to use.

While investing in AR headsets, try to evaluate properties like –  costs, development kits, features, etc. you can also choose from products that include – Magic Leap, HoloLens, and also  Google Glass.

Choices are plenty, you see! Just making the right choice is the key factor here!

Adopting AR internally

Using AR for your business is more like a learning process. It is about realizing what you are capable of adding to the real world. You have the power to squeeze and fit mountains inside a small room, make rockets launch from your desks, and whatnot! The sheer thrill in writing the last few lines is magnanimous.

However, while implementing AR internally, this can’t be enough. Think of ways in which the internal team can use AR in the best way to boost productivity and save time. That’s the whole point of it right?

Adopting AR externally

Similarly, Implementing AR externally is about the visual flair in combination with the functionality. Just make the clients see why they need your AR app and exactly what they are missing if they don’t embrace it.

Although, Once you complete this part, make sure the clients share their experiences on social media. Trust me, this is a must. This can act as a game-changer if it gets the right kind of reach.

It’s all about marketing the experience of consumers and showcasing the “good factor” to attract more consumers. You know the drill, don’t you?

Augmented reality has infinite applicability for businesses and this is just the beginning.

Overview

How AR explored, I am sure –  the sky is the limit here. Augmented reality is slowly diversifying and finding applications in every possible industry. The best part is that this innovation fits the template perfectly, for a pandemic-hit world. How convenient!

I hope you have had a clear understanding of Augmented Reality and its use in business. This is just the first draft of AR-related blogs. Stay tuned for more.

However, if you are thinking of building AR apps, do reach out to us for a FREE consultation. We are here for you, even if you need a tech team for your startup. Reach out to us at TheCodeWork TODAY!

Till then, happy innovation!