The development of AR in the future

AR development and visualization

At Social Brothers we expect Augmented Reality to change everyday reality. In a while we will (almost) no longer use screens to project on, but we will project onto reality through AR.

This development stands or falls with a good, practical (and therefore probably small) wearable, such as a headset, glasses or possibly even lenses. As a result, you no longer need a smartphone for the AR projection.

This way you not only have your hands free, but you can always have the AR additions from translations to directions in your field of view. The video below gives a good idea of ​​where we are going in the future.

Practical glasses are too small for computing power, but with an active internet connection that is no problem at all. After all, the computing power does not have to lie in the device itself. This way the glasses can even remain small and light. But maybe even that active internet connection isn't always necessary. After all, computers and other devices have been getting smaller for years, while their computing power is growing: compare what a modern smartphone can do with the first PC cabinets.

Apple Glass?

It is certain that major developments are about to take place in the field of AR glasses. All major parties in ICT are developing it. In November 2019, Microsoft released the Hololens 2. From the beginning of this year there will be the Google Glass 2 and perhaps most importantly: an Apple Glass is expected. Although expectations differ, an Apple variant of the AR glasses could already be on the market in 2021.

Apple has prepared well for this. For example, in 2015 the company bought Metaio Creator with which AR scenarios can be quickly created. Akonia Holographics, a company that makes the smallest lenses for AR glasses, followed in 2018 among several other companies. Also a note on the wall is that Apple has teamed up with Pixar to create a new 3D standard: the usdz file format.

The Apple glass is expected to be an accessory of the iPhone, so that it is immediately linked to the entire Apple infrastructure. Apple leaker Jon Prosser predicts that the glasses will look like those worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook, although Prosser also speaks of a limited edition based on Steve Jobs' glasses.

Read more about the different AR glasses here.

A new view of the world

The continued presence of a digital layer in our field of view, made possible by the AR glasses, in turn makes us look at the world in different ways. Information that we normally actively look up is now literally at hand, from translations on holiday to information about what you can find in the area. We can speak of an Immersive Augmented Vision that has a much greater impact than, for example, AR via a smartphone.

However, everyday life will not be the place where we will first notice the further development of AR. This is apparent from the fact that both the Hololens 2 and the Google Glass 2 are primarily intended for the business market. We will therefore first notice the new view of the world in companies and in academia. For example, consider a richer way of analyzing models and data. AR gives a new look at the same information in every branch and can therefore make a very big difference in many areas.

We are moving from information on a flat 2D screen to an interactive method of visualizing, thinking and working. As a result, all our working environments will be adapted by Augmented Reality: from a designer who works directly on the model, to a technical installer or technician who immediately sees the instruction of an installation.

Read more about the different application possibilities of AR glasses.

Development AR in education and care

In addition, we at Social Brothers also have great expectations in the field of healthcare and education† Providing insight into complex 3D models also has many advantages here. At the intersection of education and healthcare, we can think of interactive 3D models instead of flat pictures of the human body. This makes it easier for medical students to gain insight into the human body. However, it can also be used in healthcare to support operations or to find veins for blood tests.

AR not only aids in learning new things through visualization, but also through the ability to simulate a situation in AR and practice it in this way. Another example at the intersection of education and health. In collaboration with the Center for Anxiety and Compulsion in Venray, we have developed AR training against certain phobias. It is now widely used in mental health care.

The idea behind it is that you can get rid of a phobia by confronting your fear. This is called exposure therapy† Scientific research has shown that AR works just as well here as traditional therapy. In addition, AR has the additional advantage that it is much easier to imitate a certain situation. To help someone with a fear of heights, for example, you don't have to climb the Eiffel Tower with your therapist, but you can stay in the treatment room with a wearable on.

Also read how we use AR for training risk assessments.

What about privacy?

Positive story so far, but what about privacy? Google Glass has revealed the privacy issues surrounding wearables. The AR glasses can record everything and people don't like this. There is also a problem with geofencing: the glasses know where you are, as is the case with smartphones. The possibilities of AR glasses are cool, but the wearables certainly raise privacy questions.

A lot has been learned in the meantime. Companies are thinking more about privacy and data storage. Big drivers of this were privacy scandals, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which resulted in a $5 million fine for Facebook. New measures such as the GDPR have also helped.

IT companies have learned from past mistakes and are looking for ways to develop AR glasses without violating tightened privacy guidelines, if only to avoid past problems. This is also apparent from the fact that new AR glasses are aimed at the business market and therefore do not (yet) have a major impact on the daily lives of people outside their workplace.

Want to know more?

AR therefore has a lot to offer us. Not only in the future, but also now. This makes it all the more likely that the influence of AR on our lives, but especially on our work, will only increase in the coming period. Do you want to know more about developments in AR? Read us too complete handbook on AR or sign up for the newsletter. We will keep you regularly informed of new developments!

Do you want to know how AR can make your organization more efficient, attractive and innovative? take contact on. We are happy to think along with you about the possibilities. To our services page you will also find more information.