The Applications of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are growing at a rapid pace and we see their applications in many facets of our life. In fact, it has transformed the way we use screens and creates new, exciting and interactive experiences.
As VR places you in a virtually created world with the help of a headset and enables you to explore it, AR enhances your real world with digital images and layers with the help of a clear visor or smartphone. As VR can help you to explore an underwater environment, AR enables you to see fishes moving around you.
What are Virtual and Augmented Reality?
Virtual Reality spots you in a virtual world with the aid of a headset with a specific screen showing a virtual atmosphere. This headset relies on a technology, known as head tracking, that allows you to move around the environment by physically moving your head. It offers you a 360-degree view of the virtual environment as the display would follow the direction you move.
At present, there are mainly two types of headsets. Screen built into the headset type which is connected to a computer and quite expensive too. Oculus Quest 2, and PlayStation VR are some of the popular examples of this headset. The other type of headset is placed on your phone and its screen is used as a display. It does not need a computer as it runs on your smartphone. It is also considered to be cheaper. Google Cardboard and Gear VR are some of the popular examples.
Augmented Reality enhances your world by superimposing digital images and offers a digital experience. AR headsets like Microsoft HoloLens and the Magic Leap are currently available in the market which is used for AR technology. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive compared to VR headsets.
But devices like smartphones and laptops could be used for AR without using headsets. Moreover, there are many Apps that help you to translate text by using your cam, locate stars in the sky, and even give effects on the pics you take. Games like Pokémon Go or filters on Snapchat are based on AR technology.
Benefits of VR and AR technologies
Let us take a glimpse at the benefits that VR and AR technologies bring in for various industries and fields.
- It enhances communication and collaboration
When it comes to international and bilateral conferences and cooperations, VR and AR help to get rid of barriers. VR offers virtual venues and conducts live events for those who are unable to attend the physical ones. Thus, the VR experience provides more transparency and cooperation.
AR also assists with translations and devices a shared space. For instance, AR glasses for translations help to resolve the language barrier and it would be highly beneficial for International conferences being attended by participants from different countries.
- High and immersive user experience.
We would be able to provide an efficient and better Customer experience with the assistance of AR.- It enables people to try virtual effects on their daily use items such as jewelry, houses, vehicles, garments, etc. It imbibes a positive vibe and enhances user experience which has the potential to result in more business.
- It offers comprehensive analytics for a better understanding of consumer choices
VR & AR technologies use web and social media analytics to understand user’s behaviors, preference and tendencies. It is really helpful for companies to work out strategies to promote products effectively.
- It increases sales
VR & AR technologies have more potential to drive more sales and increase revenue. In fact, the best user experience given by technology gives consumers plenty of options to opt for and that encourages them to buy more. In result, sales are increased.
- Low Development Costs
Visualization is the best way to provide a better understanding of projects in any industry. Otherwise. Statistics, data and analytics are undigestible for the people. In this context, it offers a potent tool to project data by positioning it in a visual background and enhances it with a visual experience.
Finally, VR is invoked to give an immersive experience to people who study data and its prototypes. A 3D prototype could be shown in all angles and that is helpful for sudden feedback. Thus, flexibility gives a chance to detect quickly and it reduces development costs as protypes are created and tested.
Application of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies
Other than providing data, engaging users, and simulating real-life experiences, VR and AR technologies are a potential tool to bring in more changes in public policy, government service, and interactive citizenship. Let us examine it in detail.
- Policing:
It is immensely helpful for the law enforcement agencies as critical information is the bedrock of any operations. For instance, if any hostage crisis is reported from a particular place, police could access the data like 3D models of the spot, check its track records of crimes in a similar manner in any neighborhood, etc.
- Disaster Management
Data visualization helps to improve situational awareness in case of an emergency situation. With the help of VR and AR, a disaster management team would get adequate knowledge of the surroundings within no time to rescue the people in need. The people in need could plot their locations on an interactive app given to the disaster management team which could help them to identify safest routes and dangerous areas.
- Asset management and Public Works
PWD workers would be able to finish repairs and work efficiently with utmost safety. Adequate knowledge about the premises is crucial to ensure the safety of the workers.
- Smart digital services
In a scenario where static digital forms make an unpleasant user experience, VR and AR technologies facilitate an application process with an interactive experience. In addition to offering an error-free application process, it gives pleasant government-citizen interactions.
- Promoting culture and tourism
AR has the potential to provide a better visitor experience with the historical landmarks of the city by offering more imagery, historical and cultural details. In fact, it could be augmented to promote tourism and highlight its historical significance.
- Mental Health Service
Expose therapies are one of the treatments used to address mental infirmities like fear and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). VR and AR help to set up a background or create a similar situation to handle these fears in the exposed therapies. Moreover, VR could be used to address the problems of PTSD to prepare people for job interviews and enable them to manage their symptoms in stressful situations. By equipping social workers with these technologies, the mental health of the patients could be improved at the grassroots level.
- Education
In order to engage more students in the classroom, an exciting classroom experience is required. This is made possible with the aid of AR and VR. Its application is already proven in the field of medical education as it provides a better learning experience for medical students.
The inability of rural students to access traditional classrooms could be resolved by arranging visual classrooms and that enriches the school system.
Teachers could also use the wide avenues offered by AR and VR as the students are given an immersive learning environment and students could learn it by experiencing it. It ensures an inclusive education system
- Viable urban planning
With the help of AR and VR models of construction projects, city planners would get a deeper understanding of the viable option at disposal within the existing structure and what further development could be done. In fact, viability in the projects could bring more investors to the fold.
- Training
In fact, a real-life situation experience could be created with the aid of VR and AR, it facilitates training that is otherwise hazardous for fields like police, fire force, public workers, disaster management teams, etc. Thus, simulations of these real-life experiences are immensely beneficial to train all these categories of people.
Wrap up
In a nutshell, AR and VR technologies grow at a rapid pace and their applications have transformed our daily life. As technology advances more, its applications emerge to be wider and it would offer an exciting life in the future.
Author Bio
Mubarak Musthafa
Mubarak is the Vice President of Technology & Services at ClaySys Technologies. He works with a wide variety of technologies such as Artificial intelligence, SharePoint, .NET, Azure, AWS, and more.