The Business Benefits of Augmented Reality Displays
Augmented reality displays have evolved significantly in just a few years. Once, the most common way to access an “AR” experience was through a smartphone app.
Now, we have tablets and large-scale displays that leverage cameras and cutting-edge technology to create augmented experiences. Countless vendors are experimenting with mixed-reality headsets and augmented-reality glasses. In the years to come, we may even see the arrival of AR contact lenses.
These cutting-edge solutions pave the way to better productivity and efficiency in the workplace, enhanced learning and training experiences, and even better customer service. As the AR market continues to grow (at an incredible 37.9% CAGR), the potential for businesses is growing.
Here’s why you should be investing in augmented reality displays this year.
1. Growing Versatility and Accessibility
First, perhaps the most obvious reason to consider investing in augmented reality displays is that there are more options than ever before. AR displays aren’t just limited to smartphone solutions anymore. There are actually more options in the AR market than in virtually any other form of XR technology. You’re not limited to bulky headsets like you are with virtual reality.
Companies can experiment with augmented reality displays designed for meeting rooms, which use cameras, sensors, and projectors to overlay three-dimensional objects in a physical space. AR/VR headsets allow users to adjust their level of immersion when working on various tasks.
Plus, there are a growing number of vendors offering augmented reality glasses. Even major vendors like Meta are expanding into the augmented reality space. This versatility means businesses can choose from a huge range of displays to suit different use cases related to collaboration, field worker support, customer experience, and more.
2. Augmented Reality Displays Enhance Collaboration
All forms of immersive technology, including augmented reality displays, can significantly improve collaboration and productivity in the workplace. With augmented reality displays in meeting rooms powered by projectors and cameras, teams can experiment with 3D representations and immersive blueprints when brainstorming and working on complex projects.
With AR smart glasses, employees can visualize documents, content, and digital assets in incredible detail. These glasses can make it seem like a remote team member is sitting or standing in the same room, with camera feeds or AI avatars.
This not only helps to facilitate feelings of inclusion in a hybrid workplace but can also reduce the operational costs associated with aligning teams in the same office space. Plus, AR displays combined with AI technology can add captions or translations to meetings in real time, breaking down language barriers and minimizing misunderstandings.
3. AR Displays Can Improve Innovation
Augmented reality, alongside virtual and mixed reality solutions, is rapidly becoming more valuable in product development. Aside from helping distributed teams collaborate more effectively, AR displays, combined with intelligent applications for computer-aided design (CAD), can help teams create products at speed.
Designers, developers, and product manufacturers can collaborate on a “virtual” 3D view of a prototype product. They can experiment with different design strategies, check the quality of a physical prototype by running simulations, and more.
After creating digital twins of products and systems, teams can test and monitor their functionality in real time using augmented reality displays. They can also share virtual versions of everything they create with stakeholders and investors. Companies can even share augmented prototypes before investing in materials, reducing product design costs.
4. Augmented Reality Displays Aid Field Workers
Field engineers, and technicians have a lot to gain from augmented reality displays. Even simpler solutions, like apps built into smartphones and tablets, can help engineers troubleshoot issues in a machine or system, access product details, and accelerate repairs.
Augmented reality glasses take the benefits of this technology to the next level. They allow employees to access blueprints, device specifications, and even real-time guidance from subject-matter experts on the move while keeping their hands free.
Companies can even create augmented reality applications for customers, allowing them to deliver immersive trouble-shooting support from any location. This can reduce customers’ downtime and the costs of sending field engineers to a specific location. Leading companies like HP are already investing in AR solutions specifically to support their customers.
5. Augmented Experiences Enhance Training
Immersive training and educational experiences are taking the world by storm. Countless companies, from the NHS to UC Berkley have embraced extended reality solutions to help boost student engagement, knowledge retention, and skill development.
Augmented reality displays, from smartphones to smart glasses, offer an excellent way to deliver immersive training experiences to students, often at a lower cost than virtual reality. Educators can create digital experiences for learners using interactive environments, applications, and simulations. The rise of spatial computing can even allow students to interact with digital content in real time.
Studies from leading analysts like PWC show that immersive training experiences can improve knowledge retention and engagement. Plus, with AR displays, educators can share learning experiences with people worldwide, delivering remote but impactful training sessions to teams, students, and individuals.
6. AR Displays Transform Customer Experiences
Even early-stage augmented reality displays, like smartphones, significantly impact customer experiences. Around 84% of customers in one study said they want to be able to try out products in AR before they buy them. Companies can create augmented experiences for customers that allow them to not just try on products but customize the items they buy and learn how to use them.
Already, countless companies like Sephora, Wayfair, and IKEA have taken advantage of the potential of AR solutions. Now, retailers in many industries are also discovering new ways to bring augmented reality experiences into shopping experiences.
Businesses are testing out augmented reality mirrors, that eliminate the need for customers to try samples of cosmetics themselves, or take clothes into dressing rooms. These displays can even showcase additional product information for customers, such as price, materials used, and customer reviews, allowing for more informed purchasing decisions.
7. Augmented Reality Displays Differentiate Brands
Finally, investing in augmented reality displays allows companies to stand out. Although more businesses are beginning to invest in these technologies, AR solutions still provide businesses with an effective way to capture consumer attention. Whether through interactive ads, virtual product demonstrations, or AR apps, this technology paves the way for differentiation.
The right augmented reality display solutions don’t just give companies a way to connect with customers, either. They can also offer organizations an excellent opportunity to capture the attention of talent in a skills-short industry by giving employees access to new, immersive tools.
This means investing in augmented reality displays allows companies to boost revenue, increase customer loyalty, and access the valuable team members they need for sustainable growth.
Investing in Augmented Experiences
Augmented reality displays are quickly becoming some of the most valuable technologies for modern businesses. The possibilities are endless with AR apps on smartphones and tablets, cutting-edge augmented reality glasses and headsets, and an ever-evolving range of solutions.
With AR displays, you can transform meetings and collaboration, improve team productivity, increase innovation, and attract, engage, and convert customers.
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