Demand of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps on the Rise

Scientific breakthroughs in mobile phone technology have brought us a long way since the invention of the basic Symbian phones two decades ago. Not only do all modern phones now come with their own set of built-in apps, we now have the option to choose from thousands of different free applications to download on our phones for different uses. This explosive era of innovative Mobile Application development has brought about a rise in the demand for more futuristic mobile phone applications and technology in general, and immersive technologies in particular. Market of Mobile App Development for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps is rising worldwide.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps Demand Rising

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps Demand Rising

What is Immersive Technology?

Immersive technology is a special branch of digital technology that allows the users to be partially or completely immersed in a digital simulation. When technology is used to augment a user’s experience of the real world it is termed as Augmented Reality (AR). When technology is used to completely immerse the user in a virtually simulated world, it is termed as Virtual Reality (VR). These two technologies are finding more and more potential applications every day. Trends of Mobile App Development for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality apps have changed drastically.

Usage of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps

There are countless possible applications of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in all fields of technology, ranging from healthcare to industrial development. Main scope of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality apps are listed below.

  1. Healthcare
  2. Education
  3. Industrial Design
  4. Troubleshooting of Large Scale Manufacturing Systems
  5. Social Media Applications
  6. Virtual Reality Mobile Apps

Here is the detail of main usage of Immersive technology for the Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps.

Healthcare

Both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality can be used to revolutionize healthcare by allowing practitioners to train in an interactive 3D environment. Healthcare professionals can learn with a more hands-on approach by performing mock surgeries in a simulated environment, whereas non-intrusive options for healthcare can be provided to patients that require assisted living/monitoring. VR and AR both provide options to patients to transmit real-time data about their diseases to their healthcare providers, in turn allowing them to better diagnose and treat their ailments.

Education

Immersive educational technology enhances the students’ learning of the subject matter at hand tenfold. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality can allow students to travel virtually anywhere; experience sights, sounds and motions from any corner of the universe, all from the convenience of their own home. Potential uses of AR and VR in an educational setting are nearly endless.

Industrial Design

Virtual Reality has already been in use for a long time to help generate virtual models of products before they are sent off to be manufactured. Computer Aided Design softwares utilize a form of Virtual Reality in which architects, scientists and engineers design their prototypes in a virtual environment, which are then translated into physical models upon approval. Virtual Reality in this case saves manufacturers thousands of dollars from prototype development alone.

Troubleshooting of Large Scale Manufacturing Systems

Faults in the assembly line or large scale manufacturing systems cost companies a lot of money if left undetected. With the introduction of Virtual Reality, these companies now invest heavily into VR simulation softwares that allow them to virtually simulate their systems, predict faults and effectively troubleshoot them when they appear.

Social Media Applications

With the social media enterprises becoming the largest profiting industries in the world, the use of AR or VR in social media application is also on the rise. Companies are now heftily investing in Augmented Reality App Development and Virtual Reality Application development. These apps utilize AR features such as real-time photograph filters (already offered by companies such as SnapChat, Instagram and Facebook) and geo-tagging that allows users to provide information about their physical location to other users through social media.

Virtual Reality Mobile Apps

The gaming industry has the biggest market of Virtual Reality Technology. Virtual Reality Mobile Apps use specialized Virtual Reality Headgear, 3D technology, special motion-sensors and more to provide a surreal gaming experience to their users. With VR gear becoming cheaper by the day, the possibilities of growth in this sector become unlimited.

Trends in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Application Development

International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that the Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality markets will both see a rise in demand for AR and VR technologies in the upcoming 5-year period. This trend has been attributed to the development of better softwares to cater to AR and VR users, especially the development of better Augmented and Virtual Reality Mobile Apps, the manufacture of cheaper, more affordable VR and AR gear, and commercial interest from titans of the gaming industry in AR and VR technologies.

IDC Worldwide Quarterly AR & VR Headset Tracker for 2017Q4 - 19 Mar 2018

Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly AR & VR Headset Tracker for 2017Q4 – 19 Mar 2018

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology market suffered setbacks in 2017 owing to a decreased consumer interest to buy standalone VR/AR headsets-the specialized gear necessary to utilize AR or VR softwares. With Lenovo’s success in rolling out the new Lenovo Mirage Augmented Reality headset, other tech giants such as Samsung, Dell, HP, Acer and Windows have stepped in the game with augmented and virtual reality headsets of their own. Cheaper, more accessible Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality hardware is now the goal of these manufacturers.

Augmented Reality Trends Forecast

AR headsets are expected to see an exponential growth during 2018-2022. AR devices will be responsible for 97% of the overall AR/VR market in the next 5 years. Commercial shipments of Augmented Reality Screen-less viewers have been predicted to increase by 2019. The IDC predicts augmented reality gear shipments to range up to 30 million by the year 2022.

Virtual Reality Trends Forecast

By the year 2022, the IDC predicts that tethered and standalone devices will account for a total of 85.7% of the total shipments in the Virtual Reality Headset category. Nearly 70 million shipments of VR headsets are expected by the year 2022. Businesses interested in Immersive Technology applications can take help from Techliance, a USA based Software Development Company for developing Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Apps.