AR Glasses – The Future of Augmented Reality
AR glasses look like everyday eyewear but add a layer of digital information. This information can range from notifications to stat and fitness tracking, hands-free digital assistants or navigation.
But while these smart glasses offer incredible benefits, they can also create problems. Cornell University researchers found that the power imbalance between a wearer and someone else using AR creates discomfort.
Immersive Experience
AR glasses add digital elements to the user’s view of the world, enhancing it with augmented information. They are different from virtual reality headsets, which submerge the wearer in a virtual environment.
AR technology allows users to experience a variety of applications across many industries. For example, in the field of education, AR provides a way for students to explore the solar system and watch planets revolve around them or learn about human anatomy by viewing 3D models. Retail is another sector that benefits from AR glasses AR, allowing shoppers to try on clothes and accessories virtually, which has reduced return rates and dissatisfaction. Field service also benefits from AR, reducing the need for on-site repairs by providing workers with digital work instructions.
A pair of AR glasses typically looks like a regular pair of eyeglasses, although they contain a small display that only the wearer can see. They use optical elements to combine light from the microdisplay and the real scene and project a composite image to the wearer’s eye. This allows users to interact with the augmented information without being distracted by it.
Some devices have their own integrated operating systems, such as Google Glass and Vuzix Blade, while others rely on handheld devices (like smartphones) for the software and computing power. This approach keeps the weight of the device down while ensuring that it has enough processing power to run the AR software. Other AR headsets, such as Lenovo ThinkReality A3, are corded and tether to the handheld device for power.
Real-Time Information
Augmented reality provides real-time information overlaid on the user’s view of the environment. For example, a navigation system displays a live map of the user’s current location with destination details, directions, and weather forecasts.
Another popular application of AR is the gaming industry, where players can interact with virtual characters or objects in a realistic setting. Popular examples include Pokemon Go and immersive virtual worlds such as the Magic Leap One headset.
Similarly, the architecture and design industry use AR glasses to visualize and modify designs in real time. These glasses enable architects, engineers, and interior designers to overlay virtual 3D models of buildings or furniture onto the physical space, allowing clients to see how different elements will look and work together before construction or manufacturing.
Field service workers also benefit from AR glasses, which can stream remote expert knowledge directly to on-site technicians. This reduces the need for costly site visits and speeds up service delivery.
AR is also used in healthcare and medicine to provide real-time information or guidance to medical professionals. Surgeons can view surgical procedures in a virtual environment using AR glasses, which increases precision and improves patient outcomes. Additionally, AR is used for medical training, enabling students to practice procedures in a safe virtual environment.
Social Interactions
Augmented reality allows users to view information superimposed over their physical world. It is a powerful tool that offers a wide range of applications from health to entertainment.
Besides providing real-time information, AR glasses can also enhance social interactions. For example, firefighters can wear AR goggles to see structural weaknesses in a building or identify the source of a fire. Moreover, medical professionals can receive real-time patient data and guide their treatment with visual cues. Traveling to foreign countries becomes easier with AR glasses that offer real-time language translation.
However, there are some concerns regarding the impact of AR on society. One concern is that people might develop associations between virtual content and physical objects. This could lead to unwanted consequences, such as imposing nudity on others or creating deepfakes that feature their likeness.
There are also concerns about the effects of AR on the user’s behavior and emotions. Some AR applications are designed to improve social skills for both autistic and general populations. These include Empathics System, which aims to support the interaction between partners, and MOSOCO, which focuses on emotion recognition. However, high-quality evaluations of these applications are needed to confirm their intended outcomes.
Versatility
While mobile AR has enjoyed some success and ar headset consumer appeal, many pundits believe that the real future of this technology lies in glasses. But that’s easier said than done. Currently, the graphical power needed for a viable AR experience isn’t feasible in the form of lightweight and stylistically-viable glasses.
Fortunately, manufacturers are working to solve this problem. The XREAL Air, for example, is a pair of glasses that look like ordinary sunglasses but incorporates a 1920 x 1080 display in each lens. This allows for a truly immersive and interactive experience that can be used to view movies, play games, or conduct virtual meetings.
The XREAL Air also has built-in speakers that allow you to communicate with people who are wearing the glasses, making it an ideal tool for remote learning and meetings. In addition, its voice recognition feature lets you issue commands and receive information hands-free — even in noisy environments.
Meanwhile, Lenovo’s ThinkReality A3 offers a corded solution that tethers to select Motorola mobile phones for hands-free operations in work-intensive environments. This allows industrial workers to leverage the platform’s certified turnkey applications, which offer features such as remote assistance and 3D visualization.
