In forecasting the trajectory of the knowledge economy, augmented reality (AR) technology emerges as a pivotal tool alongside other artificial intelligence (AI) applications. While virtual reality (VR) has garnered significant attention, AR holds the potential to reshape human experiences more profoundly, facilitating enhanced interaction with technology for practical and beneficial purposes.
AR technology boasts diverse applications, positioning it as a key player in future technologies. Beyond merely overlaying virtual objects onto the real user environment, AR has progressed to employ advanced devices like wearables. These wearables serve as interfaces for interacting with both 3D and 2D virtual objects, promising a transformative experience in future technology.
Prominent examples of AR devices include the Vuzix smart glasses, ODG, and Microsoft HoloLens, which have captivated attention by enabling users to interact with holograms in their surroundings. Understanding the mechanics of augmented reality and its future applications reveals its potential to significantly impact human lives, fostering changes in behavior and environment adaptation. AR can serve as a tool for scientific research, playing a vital role in advancing the knowledge economy.
AR technology functions by displaying virtual images and elements within the real world, allowing users to stay connected online while physically present in their surroundings. This technology holds promise for business applications and factory settings, connecting workers in various roles and sections, elucidating interactive working techniques, and enabling computer usage without direct preoccupation with tasks.
Studies indicate a substantial interest, with 77% of millennials expressing a desire to experience AR technology, including 47% of children, as per studies conducted by Dell and Intel Future Workforce. AR has become an effective measurement tool across multiple projects and industries, mimicking real environments while enhancing them with additional information. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which uses a headset, AR relies on a different design.
The expansion of AR technology into various sectors contributes to scientific research, a cornerstone of the knowledge economy. Augmented reality applications have found applications in the medical field, where they serve as training tools for surgical procedures. By collecting 3D information about patients and presenting it in real-time through sensors, AR facilitates surgeries, offering simultaneous access to patient information.
In education, augmented reality facilitates learning in applied sciences like chemistry, allowing the virtual manipulation of materials without the need for physical presence in laboratories. The reduction of experimental risks in laboratories and the enhancement of scientific research effectiveness become significant contributions to new discoveries, driving the cognitive economy forward.
As the knowledge economy gains momentum, major IT and social networking companies are investing substantially in augmented reality research. Google, through Magic Leap, is exploring “film reality,” while Apple, having acquired Metaio, is developing the 3D Junaio browser. Microsoft’s HoloLens captures 3D information with deep sensors, and Google is integrating AR features into its Chrome web browser.
Dell emphasizes AR’s role in advancing business processes, envisioning computing tasks performed in any work environment with constant internet availability. AR enables remote technical assistance by transmitting real-time augmented reality images, providing guidance during tasks.
The transformative impact of augmented reality technologies extends beyond virtual and real-world interactions. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize remote work, marking a significant step in human interaction with intelligent computers.
Author : Manahel Thabet
Published January 29, 2018
Al Bayan Newspaper
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