10 Intriguing Uses Of AR Technology In Industry
Augmented reality has found a home in several industries and professions. While some organizations and companies are developing products incorporating AR, others are leveraging the technology to improve their own training methods, internal processes and customer service.
AR’s unique possibilities can bring “hands-on” training and realistic experiences that aren’t confined by geography and without unneeded risk. Below, 10 experts from Forbes Technology Council share innovative and intriguing uses of AR technology that are already offering benefits in a variety of industries.
1. Enhanced Surgical Training And Performance
Augmented reality has proven to be beneficial for training surgeons and is a new approach in performing detailed surgical operations. Superimposing radiographic images on live images allows visualization of the surgical site in a way that was not possible before. Although still a fairly new technology in the healthcare field, it is showing great promise. - Alexandro Pando, Xyrupt Technologies
2. Property Tours And 3D Real Estate Models
In the real estate industry, augmented reality can help consumers understand the potential of a property. AR can help the consumer really visualize the space of interest—sometimes even better than through an in-person viewing. From property tours and virtual staging to 3D models of properties yet to be built, AR helps put a customer in a space to really understand the property. - Roy Dekel, SetSchedule
3. Immersive Therapy
Augmented reality is second to none when recreating a real-world scenario. Developers and psychologists have partnered to create safe but challenging AR environments that help heal those with mental issues or behavioral disorders through experiential means. Immersive treatment already exists for soldiers with PTSD—it lets them deal with problems in real time with the help of a trained therapist. - Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC
4. Apprentice Training In Skilled Trades
The number of workers in the skilled trades is in decline, and they are also aging. Training a new generation of apprentices can be done more efficiently with AR/VR. A virtual reality company called Interplay Learning is taking this on, but I can see AR being used in a real-world setting once the VR simulations are well understood. - Gerald Morrison, SigmaSense LLC
5. Heavy Machinery Training
AR and heavy machinery might seem an odd pairing, but AR is transforming the factory floor. Goggles or tablets overlay technical information “onto” machinery, reducing error and unlocking powerful efficiencies. At Lockheed, AR reduced assembly times by 30%, and GE Healthcare’s warehouses run 46% faster since digitizing workflows. In factories of the future, AR will be as common as wrenches and work gloves. - Chris Turlica, MaintainX Inc.
6. Oil And Gas Industry Training
Using AR-powered training in the oil and gas industry has been a welcome development. The industry emphasizes on-the-job training on oil infrastructure. However, there are dangers associated with handling oil and gas equipment. BP and Shell have already adopted AR in their operations. - Nelson Cicchitto, Avatier Corporation
7. Specialized Auto Maintenance
Certain specialists are extremely few in number and cannot be mobilized rapidly—thus, they have very limited availability. AR training and supervision have expanded the reach of such specialists, especially in the auto industry, where new car features and technologies continue to grow in functionality and complexity. - Ahmad (Al) Fares, CeliTech Inc.
8. Retail/Hospitality Training
Usually, a new cashier has to train on the job, serving a line of customers who are oftentimes not so patient, which makes it a nerve-wracking and stressful situation for a new hire. AR-powered training can be applied to simulate high-pressure, almost-real situations for new hires who have to serve guests in a retail or restaurant setting. This will allow them to ramp up faster with reduced stress. - Tanvir Bhangoo, Freshii Inc.
9. Military Training And Readiness
Augmented reality will have a significant impact on military training and readiness. Legacy aircraft simulators can cost as much as $26 million, and military pilots and trainees get limited access to these high-demand resources. Low-cost aircraft simulators powered by emerging AR capabilities will democratize access to aviation training, allowing pilots more hands-on time to become more proficient. - Sean Maday, Google
10. ‘Edutainment’
Augmented reality “edutainment” applications such as Worker Studios’ Cosmonutapplication are the tip of the spear for novel learning tools. The combination of AR with education and entertainment meets kids at their level and engages them in ways no other trans-media product to date can. These types of applications will continue to lead distributive learning into the future. - José Morey, Liberty BioSecurity