The retail industry has been an early adopter of cutting-edge technologies, one of which is Augmented Reality, leading the way in warehousing, logistics, navigation, marketing, and customer service. This phenomenon enables brands to interact with customers via their digital devices and further visualize products in 3D, which they previously perceived in 2D through their screens. With it being at their disposal, customers are becoming more and more demanding of this technology. In 2021, the global augmented reality in retail value was estimated to be over $2.4 billion and is projected to reach $12 billion in 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 30.25%.

Benefits of integrating augmented reality in retail

Adopting augmented reality in retail not only proves the brand’s willingness to keep up with the latest trends, but also offers benefits and opportunities that could be of use in both the short and long term.

• Boosts sales and minimizes returns: using augmented reality in retail enables customers to interact and engage with products and items, as well as try them virtually before making any purchase. For example, augmented reality mirrors are now being set up in many stores, making it easier and faster for shoppers to check the size, fit, and style of their desired items before making any decisions. Continuing with the AR mirrors example, people passing by shops using such a technology will be intrigued to step in and try it themselves. It is a great strategy to attract customers, engage them, and increase the likelihood of selling.

 

• Collecting data about customers’ preferences: The information about the items customers choose to try through AR-enhanced shopping reveals a lot about their interests and shopping patterns. These insights are very much helpful for retailers to deliver personalized advertising and future marketing campaigns, resulting in the building of a solid bond between the two parties.

 

• Cutting off staff efforts and expenses: The AR application provides users with detailed information about the products they are interested in. It also has the ability of showing feedback on items from previous buyers, which enhances the quality of the shopping experience. Furthermore, augmented reality in retail aids in store navigation, reducing the need for human shop assistants to a certain extent.

 

• Contactless shopping experience: Following a global pandemic that left people around the world alerted about the way they interact with their environment, a contactless shopping experience is much needed. Including augmented reality in the retail industry offers just that, providing customers with a sense of reassurance. With a mind peace, store visitors will definitely be much more comfortable shopping for what they are looking for.

 

• Creating customer loyalty: Customer loyalty is a result of an ideal, satisfactory customer experience. Building enough credibility is one major way leading to it, helping brands in developing stronger relationships with their audience; thus, increasing their sales and profits. Augmented reality helps in activating this desired loyalty and putting it into action.

 

• Product display: To enable augmented reality in physical shops, many brands are installing in-store displays that provide visitors with a variety of interactive experiences. In addition, brands can take advantage of integrating in-store augmented reality by giving their customers the possibility of customizing items like bags, accessories, decorations, etc.

GPS navigation systems have long been popular with users varying from tourists to executives on business trips, vehicle drivers, and even locals who can’t recall their route from one location to another. However, having phones attached to dashboards or on center consoles, people must glance away from the road in order to get in the right direction. With that being both risky and costly, tech experts have addressed this issue through the integration of new automation within digital maps: augmented reality. Hang on as we drive you through what augmented reality navigation is and its benefits.

What is Augmented Reality Navigation?

While AR has been integrated into many fields such as eCommerce, healthcare, and education, it is now used in GPS systems. Augmented reality navigation apps are AR solutions that depend on geographical positioning that can pinpoint exact locations. They adopt GPS, digital navigation systems, motion recognition, and outdoor positioning systems to accomplish this. In addition, these applications are able to render virtual objects in images and make them visually systematic. This type of AR app does not display objects using still images but adopts a technology that makes virtual objects appear on the screen when the camera is moved around. Put in simple terms, drivers will be faced with a virtual path on their devices that makes sure they do not miss turns, without even taking their eyes off the road.

Benefits of using Augmented Reality Navigation

Security

This might not have crossed your mind, but augmented reality navigation can actually ensure your safety and others while driving. It not only helps you track passing vehicles’ size, type, and distance from you but also alerts you when sudden dangerous movements occur near you before you even notice the threat yourself. Additionally, integrating AR in such systems can be tremendously useful in times of emergency when rescue teams are on their way on a rescue mission.

Less time-consuming

Do you think traditional GPS navigation apps already save you much time by indicating the best routes to take? Think twice. With geo-based augmented reality applications, you will be provided with live data on traffic jams and nearby accidents, allowing you to plan your road ahead of time and save time. Also, effective indoor and outdoor navigation can help you find what you need faster not only while on a ride, but also in malls, airports, university campuses, and office buildings.

Tourists/Local experiences

Whether you are a tourist or even a local, you will be able to plan trips using augmented reality navigation. For example, if you decide to visit a historical museum, you can use these AR apps that draw you to the fastest and safest route to your destination and display information about this specific cultural site you are heading toward such as a short description of it, photos and videos of the interior, feedback from previous visitors about the place, and much more.

The future of Augmented Reality Navigation

AR is a strong tool for improving user experience in apps with navigation solutions. Besides the many benefits we have listed above, it can significantly increase driver attention by predicting threats and risks. Although current technologies are relatively far from a full-fledged AR experience, research is advancing quickly, and several corporations like Pioneer, BMW, and Toyota are working on navigation development. On another note, augmented reality in navigation is heavily reliant on advancements in the field of augmented reality. Therefore, the acceptance of AR navigation will be determined by improved user experience. 

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality (AR) is a digitally augmented representation of the real physical setting created by the use of digital visual components, sound, or other sensory stimulation given through technology. It is a developing trend among organizations active in a large number of industries.

What is Virtual Reality

The use of computer modeling and simulation to enable a human to engage with an artificial 3D visual or other sensory world is known as Virtual Reality. VR applications immerse the user in a computer-generated setting that replicates reality via interactive devices such as goggles, headsets, gloves, or suits that send and receive information. A user wearing headgear with a stereoscopic screen displays animated pictures of a simulated world in a standard VR style. Motion sensors take up the user’s motions and modify the display on the screen appropriately, in real-time, to provide the “presence” sensation.

What is Extended Reality?

The umbrella that covers Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, and everything in between is referred to as Extended Reality. It alters human-machine screen interaction by immersing users in a virtual environment, augmenting their surroundings, or doing both simultaneously.

Benefits of Augmented Reality

In a digital time as such, we are now spending more time staring at various-sized screens. Our worlds have grown strongly intertwined with digital encounters that we have been conditioned to classify a brand’s authority based on its capacity of delivering digital experiences. As a result, marketers have been employing and benefiting from augmented reality tactics, combining both digital and physical realms. This method helps in attracting attention, standing out among competitors, and providing customers with an enhanced purchasing experience.

Augmented Reality and the Global Economy

Marketing experts are not only making the life of online buyers easier and more profitable for organizations but are exploiting augmented reality technologies to contribute big time to the growth of the global economy. In terms of maintenance, design, and training, the usage of AR in business continues to grow. These immersive technological developments are also being adopted to make a difference in healthcare, education, and the arts.

To put things into perspective, PwC mentions that in 2018, worldwide healthcare spending was estimated to be approximately $7.7 trillion. If augmented reality could boost productivity and save expenses by only 0.5 percent, doctors will be able to identify patients more quickly and guarantee successful surgical operations. That would already have a direct effect on the global economy of $385 billion.

Similarly, adopting augmented reality in development and training will enhance global GDP by $294.2 billion by 2030. One way this will be feasible is by providing a mechanism to teach workers in situations where it is not always viable or safe to do so in the real world. It will also save organizations time and money by digitally reproducing actual surroundings and scenarios, which can then be accessed anywhere in the globe and on various scales, at the same time. That said, the constant theory about machines replacing humans in the workplace is refuted. In fact, there will be a constant collaboration between augmented reality technologies and human efforts in the physical to move the growth of the global economy and other aspects as well.

Augmented reality is changing everything from the way the world is moving forward, to the global economical, societal, industrial, and countless other sectors’ growth. Talking numbers, it is believed that this technology is set to boost the global GDP by around $1.5 trillion by 2030 after contributing to it by only $46.6 billion in 2019. Following a number of AR and VR trends is today more than ever, enabling marketers to take part in this huge phenomenon that is shifting the world to an even more digital one.

Online shoppers, especially Gen Z and Millenials, are now more than ever vocal about the importance of sustainability. Around 85% of this population considers that it is extremely important for companies to adopt eco-friendly strategies. With more awareness being raised about it, consumers’ decision-making process is not solely affected by the efficacy of the product anymore. It is also about the community’s and the planet’s needs.

Reducing Emissions from Transportation

Every year, transportation contributes around 20% to greenhouse emissions on a global scale. This plays a direct role in catalyzing the climate change process which has drastic consequences on the planet and humanity’s existence. By using AR technology, users are not required to be physically present in-store anymore when purchasing products. Whether they are looking for furniture, kitchen appliances, beauty products, eyewear and footwear items, or any other option, online shoppers can now make use of Spatial Augmented Reality in a variety of ways. Brands are making it easier for users to visualize in 3D the exact size and fit of their prospects’ desired items so they could immerse themselves in exceptional experiences, all while supporting the environment’s sustainability. In that case, companies are not only engaging customers with their products but are also ensuring their return rates are reduced by over 25%.

Building Sustainable Smart Cities

With people increasingly sensing the climate change’s heat, smart cities attempt to include climate-resilient infrastructure by embedding digital add-ons that boost convenience and help in governance. Within smart cities, AR may give ongoing feedback, allowing everyone to make important and informed decisions in their daily lives to preserve sustainability. In other words, urban settings will become more people-centered. As a result, transportation, public safety and health, tourism, and asset management may all benefit from it.

Sustainability in Developing Infrastructure

In the construction sector, Augmented Reality has also been gaining traction. This technology, when used effectively, may help companies win more deals, interact with team members, train and increase the safety of workers, and, ultimately, assure a sustainable environment. To successfully achieve infrastructure sustainability, governing bodies have a vital role in creating supportive and clear policy and regulatory frameworks, publishing, communicating, and analyzing data, and finally mobilizing finance by putting a price on carbon and developing tax incentives.

Monitoring Waste Management

Augmented Reality allowed consumers to look beyond items, giving them more information about these products and brand identification. This technology enabled a more tailored buying experience, blurring the lines between e-commerce and traditional retail. One example that helped tremendously in reducing waste materials is QR codes, which came back to life big time due to the pandemic after seeming like a dying fad for a while. When adopting this automation, the packaging is turned digital instead of having raw, non-recyclable, and mostly non-degradable material.

The past decade held immense changes to the world with the constant emergence of new technologies it has witnessed and the greater is yet to come. Although tech developers have been tirelessly working in the past few years on improving XR experiences, this year is expected to witness a revolutionary crossing-bridge towards far more advanced features and realities.

Therefore, the biggest and most effective investment businesspeople can now make is integrating virtual and augmented reality accessibility into their sector as their global market size is predicted to reach $38 billion by 2026 . To help you better understand this year’s tech status, we compiled a list of the top 7 AR and VR trends you need to watch for in 2022.

1.VR and AR will change the educational and training system

It took us a global pandemic to realize how easier, more effective, faster, and safer digital learning and working can be. It is crucial to adapt to the current situation to keep going and this year is the one that will witness the most change in this industry.

Introducing VR and AR technologies to this sector will result in a better growing and learning process as it will help individuals immerse themselves in the information they are exposed to. In other words, they will not solely act as receptors of dry messages. They will have a chance to experience lessons and pieces of training by envisioning and picturing them. This will enable an increasing chance of better understanding, grasping, and retaining information. The learning process will no longer be just theoretical but also leaps to becoming a more practical one as well.

This will enable an increasing chance of better understanding, grasping, and retaining information. The learning process will no longer be just theoretical but also leaps to becoming a more practical one as well.

2.VR headsets will be produced in masses

This year is going to be the time in which we are close to starting living virtually. The educational and training system mentioned earlier is one in a sea of industries that will include VR and AR technologies in their sector, and headsets are crucial to hop on this futuristic concept. Witnessing a mass production of VR headsets in 2022 is not farfetched as they are predicted to become devices used by everyone just like mobiles are.

What aided in accelerating the production of VR headsets is the announcement Mark Zuckerberg made about the rebranding of Facebook into Meta and the creation of the new Metaverse. The tech giant, along with a few other companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple already started investing billions of dollars in building the most advanced and qualitative VR headsets, hardware, and software.

3.AR will change the way we shop online

Just when we thought online shopping has become an easier and faster process than in-store experience, AR stepped in to make it even easier and more effective. As much as we would like to think that shopping for products and services online is practical, we cannot disregard the fact that what we order might sometimes not fit, size, or even meet our expectations in real life. This is where AR steps in to solve this issue. These technologies will now more than ever create an engaging and immersive shopping experience that satisfies the wants and needs of consumers and clear their pain points. Integrating Augmented Reality on eCommerce websites allows customers to indulge in a try-before-you-buy procedure during their online purchase.

This opportunity not only feels more practical and effective for buyers but it also results in a 94% higher conversion rate  , helping businesses reach their sales goals. Going further, in-store customers can also benefit from VR and AR since many businesses have already started to work on virtual mirrors for try-on purposes. In the ever-evolving and fast-paced world we live in, this saves time and effort when going out shopping. In addition, tech developers are now ready to launch a new concept that displays feedback and reviews on products when in-store to take into consideration before buying them.

4.AR will be merged with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As widely known, artificial intelligence is the ability of machines fed with data to do what humans can do but at a faster scale and more efficiently. Now imagine what wonders AI could do when combined with Augmented Reality. The result of pairing them together is one of the most interesting and advanced in the industry. It allows profound neural networks by replacing traditional approaches and implementing advanced features such as scene labeling, object detection, and text analysis. Once again, this shows how new technologies are helping us immerse, interact, and engage with our surroundings whether they are people, situations, objects, systems, etc.

5.AR will continue to develop in the automotive industry

Self-driving cars was always a concept we thought would be impossible to reach. However, with every new technology created, we are getting closer and closer to that. Even though very few are already manufactured, new upgraded features continue to appear with every new car model for now thanks to the ongoing development of AR. For instance, Mercedes is a leader in adding sophisticated AR-based features to its cars.

New vehicles manufactured now can show you the distance between your car and the one in front of you and notify you when you are getting off your lane or when you are close to arriving at an intersection. Without Augmented Reality, none of these ultra-modern features would have existed. This shows how essential AR is nowadays to ensure our safety and security, as well as to lead an easier and more practical, and efficient way of living.

6.AR and VR will play a role in developing the Metaverse

The word Metaverse has been heard on repeat lately by people and the mass media. However, it is not a new concept that emerged overnight. It has been there for quite a long time and most recently, some elements of it are found in the gaming industry (Minecraft, Fortnite, World of Warcraft, etc.). So what exactly is the Metaverse? In simple terms, it is a 3D virtual place where people can connect and socialize and is mainly based on advanced AR, VR, and video technologies. These components are the reason behind people’s ability to virtually hold business meetings for instance or studying, shopping, attending concerts, and much more exceptional activities. Augmented reality is responsible for immersing virtual objects into real life and VR is used to develop 3D computer modeling to engage in a unique virtual space.

You can think of the Metaverse as an experience, a replication of the physical world that eases communications and networks, enhancing the real presence feeling. Even though incredible amounts of money are being poured into developing 5G, VR, and AR technologies to make the Metaverse a thing, creators will have to solve many issues standing in their way. This year, more than ever, tremendous effort are being put into this, and hopefully, the full vision of the Metaverse sees light soon.

7.AR NFTs will become a widespread phenomena

Let’s start by defining what an NFT actually is as it might still sound confusing to some. In simple terms, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital assets existing on the blockchain proving ownership of any digital object, be it virtual or physical. Unlike cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, etc.) that can be replaced or exchanged for the same value, NFTs are extremely unique and scarce that they cannot be so. No two are identical. Interestingly enough, they can represent literally anything you can think of: physical art, photographs, tweets, essays, in-game items, videos, music, etc.

When augmented reality and non-fungible tokens intertwine, these art pieces and moments representations are elevated to enable their visualization in an environment. To frame it in other words, AR is giving the chance for people to immerse themselves in a 3D experience of NFTs. This phenomenon is exceptional as it eases the selling, buying, and accessibility to NFTs, all while rewarding the initial creator like artists, auctioneers, and commerce retailers

Bottom line:

In today’s digital world, there is no escape from augmented reality and virtual reality. They provide companies with more benefits, privileges, and revenues in the easiest ways possible, as well as earn them customer loyalty and satisfaction. That said, it is never too late for organizations to invest in AR and VR as they are guaranteed to lead them a successful road.