AR VR Trends and Predictions In Upcoming Years

AR VR Trends have a long history. In 1838, Charles Wheatstone invented his stereoscope. This device superimposed an image on each user's eye, creating a 3D distant image. Edwin Link’s flight simulator, Morton Heilig’s tele sphere, Ivan Sutherland’s “Sword of Damocles” VR headset, and many other inventions have contributed to the cutting-edge technology we know today.  Virtual reality (VR),augmented reality, and other technologies will certainly make the current technology we use look primitive. Early adoption is now underway despite the high costs of development, the complexity of AR/VR, and other obstacles. How close are we to mass adoption?

Android app development trends have dramatically transformed the business world over the past several years, and are set to play an even larger role going forward. AR and VR technologies within this domain could become major forces shaping business evolution.  Entrepreneurs and professionals should seek expert guidance before venturing into this sector in order to secure their share in an expected USD 1,274.4 billion market projected for 2030.

AR and VR: What are we doing now?

According to IDC's predictions, AR/VR accounted for about 60% of global spending in 2018. It is predicted that the AR/VR market will reach 85% of total global spending by 2021. Retail, transportation, manufacturing, and the public sector are expected to be the leading sectors. According to Markets and Markets, the VR market will grow from USD 6.9 billion in 2020 up to USD 20.9 by 2025. It is expected to grow with a CAGR between 2020 and 2025 of 27.9%. They are also expected to increase their market share by 2025. This is because they will be able to scale up their processes more efficiently. SMEs will also grow their participation in the AR/VR markets with a CAGR between 2018 and 2025 of 66.40%.

Trends in Augmented Reality for the Future

AR VR App Development Company is not a novel idea. It has witnessed remarkable progress in recent times, exemplified by applications such as Pokemon Go and HoloLens. The augmented reality trend illustrates how it is reshaping numerous sectors, spanning from healthcare, and gaming to insurance, marketing, and education. The technology boasts a broad spectrum of applications. It is not surprising that technology leaders expect AR to surpass VR in the next 3 to five years (Perkins Coie, 2019). 

AR Shopping Experience

AR also has a profound impact on the way we shop. Over the last few years, AR has become so popular that it is now one of the newest retail trends. Around 61% of shoppers today prefer to buy from stores that use AR (Hacker Noon). Retailers are preparing for this, as 46% of owners of stores say they want to switch to AR or VR solutions. Experts predict that AR growth will be 39% between 2021 and 2027 (MarketWatch, 2021). Using AR in your service will increase brand awareness and put your company on par with companies like Amazon, Target, and IKEA that use AR. Incorporating AR into your marketing campaigns and business processes, as well as customer service, allows you to remain competitive in the ever-growing world of online shopping. AR will make your store more appealing to customers and increase their satisfaction. With the pandemic, consumers will want to use AR to test out clothing, furniture, and products before buying them.

Healthcare AR

The medical care industry is constantly changing to provide the best possible healthcare for patients. AR is one of the latest trends in healthcare. This sector is predicted to reach $2.4 billion in 2026. This is not surprising as the medical industry is adapting to COVID-19 and discovering the benefits of AR. 62% of Americans think AR is the most beneficial for the healthcare industry. Blood drawing is one way AR helps in healthcare. Currently, 60% of adults and 44% of children require multiple attempts to find the vein. Medical professionals hope to reduce this number by using AR.

AR technology will be used to map the veins on the arm of the patient. The doctor or nurse can then better determine where to insert the needle and reduce the discomfort of the patient. The use of AR technology to draw blood reduces pain by up to 39%. Medical professionals can find the veins accurately before drawing blood. Other trends in healthcare use augmented reality. Doctors use AR to explain the patient's condition better. It simplifies difficult medical terminology to help the patient better understand the situation. The medical practitioner can also use it to guide them on how to dress wounds. Surgeons will have access to patient records during surgery. Integrating EHR tools with AR allows you to pull outpatient records quicker and display them directly on the smart glasses or tablet of your doctor.

Team Collaboration Using AR

Due to the lockdowns caused by COVID-19, businesses were forced to close their offices and move an enormous amount of their business to the homes of employees. In September 2020, nearly 40% of full-time workers were still working remotely, even months after the quarantine restrictions. In comparison to the period before the pandemic (Gallup, 2020),only 4% of full-time employees worked remotely. Remote work is not without its drawbacks. It can have a negative impact on collaboration. Being able to facilitate team meetings and assist clients is crucial to any workplace. AR bridges the gap. AR allows everyone to work together without the need for them to be physically present in the same office. More platforms than ever before now support AR. Users can now communicate using hand gestures. Spatial, a collaboration tool that creates lifelike avatars of remote users to make it feel like they are physically present during meetings is another option. You can create 3D models of your ideas to make it easier for you to visualize the project.

AR as a learning tool

Augmented Reality is not limited to entertainment, cars, and healthcare. AR is also finding its way into education. The use of augmented reality in education has a profound impact on the way students are taught. The educational technology industry is expected to grow by 18.1% CAGR from 2020 to 2030 (Grand et al.). Twenty-eight percent of experts think that AR will disrupt the education industry over the next few years (Perkins Coie, 2020).

AR can help teachers keep their students engaged. It motivates students to learn and make learning fun. AR simplifies the process of teaching complex subjects to students. With 95% of teens owning smartphones (Pew Research Center 2019),AR teaching is easier to use and more readily available in the classroom. When teaching chemistry to students, teachers can use smartphones and paper cubes. The cubes can be scanned to reveal information about each chemical. Students can find out what reaction they should expect by combining two or more cubes. AR can also help students with learning difficulties. In the US, there are approximately 6.1 million children with ADHD or ADD (CDC, 2020). Teachers who work with children who have ADD or ADHD can use VR and AR to make their lessons more interactive. This allows the students to focus on their lesson by blocking distractions.

AR Hardware Advancements

In terms of consumer expenditure, AR hardware represents 15% of the entire industry. To experience AR, you will need the right tools. Google Glass was launched in 2013. Smart glasses were advertised as giving users a new perspective on the world. The AR hardware was not well received. According to a survey conducted in 2014, 72% of respondents were reluctant to purchase AR hardware, citing their concern for privacy (CNET). Since the release of Google Glass in 2011, other AR hardware has been available to consumers. Smartphones and tablets have become popular hardware among the general public. Hardware will become more user-friendly and address privacy concerns. The technology is set to grow in popularity over the next few years. In 2015, only 0.75 million AR headsets had been sold. Future projections, however, are positive: By 2025, the number of AR and VR headsets shipped worldwide is expected to reach 443.5 million (Statista, 2020). Mobile app development companies can utilize Augmented Reality (AR) technology in various ways. AR can help enhance internal operations and elevate the customer journey; additionally, Mobile  App Development Companies can harness AR hardware to create virtual assistants or innovative gaming applications to offer unique user experiences.

Trends in Virtual Reality for the Future

Virtual reality has evolved beyond its gaming and entertainment roots. Virtual reality is being used in a variety of industries, including entertainment, healthcare, education, and tourism. The marketing sector is still exploring the potential of VR. VR technology can help businesses improve their operation. Virtual reality allows field employees to experience realistic scenarios and complete tasks. The consumers, on the other hand, get to experience entertainment at a new level and have better material for product reviews. You cannot ignore what is going on in this area if you are involved in business. This article presents the latest trends in the virtual reality industry, from its role in gaming corporate LMS to its use in retail and travel. We also discuss how the COVID-19 epidemic has disrupted this industry.

VR in the Retail Sector

Virtual Reality has been incorporated into some businesses' training systems. VR technology, for example, allows retail staff to immerse themselves in a virtual world where they must manage long queues and shoppers crowding into the store. It eliminates the need for disrupting daily business operations in order to train your entire team. Walmart used this technique to train their employees in preparation for Black Friday shoppers. Stove is a VR creator that has also been used to train NFL players using VR technology. Walmart exposed its employees to simulations of real-world situations. Then, the employees were asked to choose based on the images created by the computer vision.

VR training aims to prepare employees for situations such as the holiday rush and unexpected problems in the retail industry. In the US, VR is used by 57.4 million people (eMarketer, 2020),and a large portion of that number (9.5 million) is for the retail industry. A study by Statista (2016) predicts that the number of VR users will increase to 31.5 million in the retail industry by 2025. Apart from training retail staff, VR will be used to streamline and improve the online shopping experience for customers. VR will be used to facilitate virtual stores. At the same time, AR (augmented reality) has been around for a long time in the form of AR-powered virtual dressing rooms. The cost of VR technology is a challenge for retail. Budgeting software can help determine whether such technology is beneficial for businesses. Business owners limit the number of employees who can use VR headsets. The rest will watch the video on a flat-screen monitor.

VR in Remote Education

Immersive technology, such as VR and learning management systems, is expected to be used in the education sector (Perkins Coie, 2020). According to Koch, VR technology in education has improved training scores from post-test by as much as 20%. VR technology can make learning more engaging, fun, and exciting for students.  As the education sector has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 epidemic, VR use may increase as it allows students to experience lessons with their own eyes without needing to attend classrooms. Google Expeditions allows students to learn history with a virtual trip to the Louvre or even experience Mount Everest and roam with dinosaurs. Most VR creators working in the education industry, such as Discovery Education, are focused on health, technology, and aerospace. VR has also proven to be extremely helpful in the training of pilots and military personnel. For several years, pilot training institutes and young soldiers have been trained using VR simulations. This technology, combined with the best software for eLearning, prepares soldiers to face unexpected situations on the field.

Virtual Reality in Corporate Metaverse

This year, the buzz about the Metaverse office will spread as interest grows in new VR technology, such as the Meta Quest Pro headset. Virtual tools will allow employees to multi-task, collaborate, share ideas, and meet clients virtually without being physically separated. Only 19% of employees currently say video conferences help them feel more involved in meetings. Moreover, only 15% think they improve collaboration between colleagues. In the future, VR experiences and environments will reflect real life more closely (but better). You could, for example, create a virtual replica of your office in order to familiarize employees who cannot visit it personally. You could also add inspiring artwork or a breathtaking view.

VR Gaming

The VR gaming industry is currently valued at $ 1.1 billion. However, by the end of the next year, it is expected to reach $ 2.4 billion. Gaming is responsible for 43% of the value of the VR software market. VR is a competitive advantage for the gaming industry because it allows you to modify and control the entire game environment. VR games are becoming more popular with every passing year. The significant factor may be the reduction in the price of hardware. However, that game content continues to improve. VR game developers are now more competitive, and the demand for VR jobs has increased.

VR in native advertising

Immersive technology, such as VR, is also expected to grow exponentially in the advertising sector (Perkins Coie, 2020). VR technology is advancing rapidly, and developers will soon be able to integrate branded placements into virtual experiences. Native advertising was first seen as in-game ads. Native advertising can be incorporated into VR experiences as VR technology improves. The future of virtual reality is marketing and advertising. Brands can create sensational VR experiences by partnering with content creators. Their products will be at the center. Immersive raised $10.5 million to fund 360-degree videos and games as well as virtual reality ads. Google also runs VR advertising experiments in the Area 120 workshop.

VR Gaming

The gaming industry is responsible for 43% of the VR software market's value. The gaming industry continues to invest heavily in the VR market, which is not surprising. The VR gaming market is worth $1.1 billion today and will grow to $2.4 by 2024, according to PwC (2020). VR gaming allows users to modify and control the game environment. Experts predict that as this technology is used more in other industries, gaming's market share will decline in the next few years.

The gaming industry has the best VR implementations. As VR-enabled gaming becomes more popular, new and improved virtual reality trends and content continue to hit the market. VR headsets such as Oculus Rift allow gamers to interact with 3D creatures within a virtual environment. Many VR developers are now focusing on the race to introduce the most advanced VR wearables, as well as input devices. Job postings in gaming are also increasing due to the increased demand for VR games. The number of job openings increased by as much as 17% between 2017 and 2018. The positions available include those for game designers, programmers, artists, and producers. In the gaming industry, there are also many job openings for business, sales, and marketing positions.

VR in the travel industry

VR is becoming a part of the marketing strategy for travel companies. As VR headsets improve customer service, a growing number of businesses are benefiting from them. Travel agents, hotels, and other businesses in the travel industry can now deliver a more lifelike experience to their customers. VR implementation could be the best tip for customer service anywhere. GlobalWebIndex published data that showed 40% of Gen Zers wanted to see more VR travel applications (Global et al., 2019). VR is a great way to boost travel marketing campaigns. Travel companies are seeing an increase in bookings as VR allows customers to preview destinations prior to booking. The COVID-19 pandemic is also a great opportunity for VR tourism. VR is not just a marketing tool but may also serve as an alternative to travel while tourists are unable to travel. VR will also play a crucial role in the post-pandemic travel industry (BBC News, 2020).

Takeaway

Future AR/VR gadgets will offer customized, well-designed, and accessible experiences. Platform shifts are inevitable as these components gain traction. In three years, we will see AR glasses that have LTE capabilities and will be an option for smartphones. As leaders in iOS App Development, we remain dedicated to pushing forward in this industry. Utilizing cutting-edge immersive innovations and augmented reality (AR) capabilities, we anticipate an overhaul in consumer electronics accompanied by significant design shifts. Looking ahead, we anticipate using AR tech for reading messages on smart glasses while exploring Instagram. Businesses are preparing for change and looking for top AR VR firms to help grow their businesses.

FAQS

1. What are some key AR VR trends for the coming years?

Key TRENDS include an increase in retail augmented reality use, virtual reality expansion in education, and AR glasses becoming mainstream everyday use.

2. How will AR VR impact gaming soon? 

Recent AR VR trends show immersive gaming experiences are likely to become increasingly prevalent, offering realistic graphics, interactive gameplay, and enhanced social integration. 

3. Will any industries see significant AR-VR advances?

Yes, industries such as healthcare, automotive, and architecture are expected to adopt AR VR technologies for training purposes, simulations, and design visualization.

4. What role will 5G play in the development of these technologies?

5G will enable low-latency connections at high speeds, improving streaming of AR VR content and real-time interactions while making remote work and collaboration more reliable. 

5. How will AR VR trends impact remote work and collaboration?

AR VR technologies will facilitate more engaging remote meetings, training sessions, and collaborative projects across geographical boundaries. 

6. What challenges may AR VR trends present themselves in the near future? Reducing privacy concerns and hardware costs while simultaneously realizing AR VR's full potential can be challenging, and content creation tools must improve for this form of entertainment to truly take hold. 

7. Will AR glasses become mainstream?

AR glasses should become more accessible and affordable as tech giants develop consumer-oriented versions soon.

8. How will AR and VR revolutionize the tourism and entertainment industries?

Augmented reality/virtual reality will offer immersive travel experiences, virtual concerts, and interactive storytelling that change how people engage with tourism and entertainment. 

9. What are some predictions regarding advertising/marketing related to AR VR?

AR VR presents unique advertising opportunities, such as virtual product trials and immersive marketing campaigns.

10. How can businesses prepare for the emerging AR VR trends? 

Businesses should stay apprised of all developments surrounding augmented and virtual reality technologies, investigate possible uses for their industry, and invest in training or pilot projects as a competitive edge.