Augmented Reality (AR) is a technological innovation that incorporates virtual elements into real surroundings. This new technology is rapidly gaining great popularity and this comes as a result of the emergence of its all-encompassing potential ranging from remote collaboration to maintenance operations. What AR does is combine the real world with the virtual elements. This makes it possible to overlap the digital elements in the physical world. A report published by Grandviewresearch states that the global AR market size was valued at USD 17.67 billion in 2020. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.8% from 2021 to 2028. The rising demand for remote assistance and collaboration from enterprises that assist in workflow management and optimization is expected to propel market growth.

Businesses are using AR applications to track, identify, and resolve technical issues, as well as tasks, such as assembling, manufacturing, and repairing production lines. Furthermore, it is possible for these AR-based apps to be integrated and used in wearable devices such as smart glasses. Given the popularity that this technology has gained, companies are exploring every day more and more the possibility of adopting AR to provide a more interactive experience not only for their staff internally but also with customers. For example, many companies in different industrial sectors have adopted VSight Remote to provide a more interactive experience for their field workers where they receive direct instructions from center experts via only a smartphone. Moreover, the use of VSight Remote integrated into smart glasses, it is worth mentioning here Realwear, has given the opportunity to these workers to perform their tasks hands-free.

This revolutionized technology has a lasting impact and is beneficial for many different industrial sectors. As mentioned above, this technology has not only aroused the interest of businesses currently operating in the market but is also pushing young entrepreneurs to consider investing in AR. As the number of adopters of this technology increases significantly, let’s take a look below at what is currently in trend but also what the future holds for AR technology.

AR smart glasses are being considered as one of the most innovative wearable devices with many influences in different areas, ranging from daily activities to three types of business processes including managing, operating, and supporting. This eyewear technology is able to overlay digital content onto a user’s field followed by added values of keeping hands free, avoiding distractions, and even improving security. The uniqueness of these smart glasses lies in the fact that they make it possible to combine virtual and physical information together in a user’s view field. Smart glasses integrated into the various operational processes of businesses are now widely used by employees to enable them with the ability to perform their tasks more effectively. Feld workers while performing their tasks hands-free at the same time they are able to receive instructions from center experts. Nowadays AR smart glasses have already made great progress by becoming part of many businesses operating in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, field services, inspection, and operations. There is a significant increase in their involvement within large industrial companies that are using this as an opportunity to remain competitive in the market by providing continuous services without interruption.

What we do know is that 5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard behind 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. In general, we can also say that not many people have a lot of detailed information about 5G, which enables a new type of network that is created to connect virtually everyone and everything together, including cars, facilities, and equipment. 5G wireless technology aims to enhance the experience of using AR technology by providing higher data speeds with more Gbps, extremely low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, greater availability, and a more uniform user experience for more users. Higher performance and improved efficiency reinforce the idea of making AR a more widely adopted technology.

According to Realtor.com’s September 2021 national housing report, the market is moving in favor of buyers. Homes continue to sell quickly, and listing prices continue to increase gradually over the preceding year. In real estate, it is now quite easy for buyers to visit their future property regardless of their location anywhere in the world. But not only that, AR makes it possible for interior designers to present and change different models and styles to their customers, exactly like those models would really look in reality. AR technology, real estate agents make it possible to convince buyers by visualizing and showing what their future property will look like. This makes it possible for real estate agencies to open a new market, that of still unbuilt properties. At the same time, the requirements and the satisfaction of the client are met, leading to the successful conclusion of contracts. Even interior designers have the opportunity to play with more styles by presenting different models to the client of how the interior of the property can look.

The tremendous growth of AR is being experienced especially in the healthcare sector. In the healthcare field, the potential of AR is manifested in the ability that enable the presentation of 3D medical models in real-time at remote locations. Many employees of this sector are embracing and interacting with AR as a tool that helps to improve patient education and outcomes. In addition, AR helps medical students who need to learn a huge amount of information about anatomy and how the body functions. AR applications give them the opportunity to learn the anatomy and functioning of the body as well as to interact and observe new procedures with professional experts in the medical field. It’s worth mentioning here that AR technology also helps specialized surgeons to use AR as a tool that enables the design of three-dimensional representations of patient anatomy. From this application, we have an easier process of visualizing the area where the operation will be performed and impact on the accuracy for a satisfactory result for the patient.

So, as we saw above — these are some of the current trends where AR has already started to gain great popularity. It is worth mentioning applications of this technology in areas such as education, oil and gas, manufacturing, advertising, and many more.

Moreover, the limitations of covid-19 have played an influential role in increasing the adoption of this technology, especially for the AR Remote Assistance. Predictions tell that even with the easing of restrictive measures in the post-covid-19 period, the popularity of AR will not decrease, on the contrary, it will increase even more already thanks to the awareness of companies about the importance and the benefits that this technology offers.

Augmented Reality Trends to Watch Out For in 2021 was originally published in AR/VR Journey: Augmented & Virtual Reality Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.