In the next few years, augmented reality (AR) technology will transform education, business and gambling. Soon every Australian gambling website will be able to offer cross-platform applications with AR elements, which will improve user interaction with virtual spaces. In the following sections we will analyse the trends that will shape the future of augmented reality.
Artificial Intelligence – The Basis for the Future of Augmented Reality
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important role in the development of AR technologies. Every year it more effectively copes with tasks that previously required enormous efforts from developers. In 2024, AR technologies will start to use AI both to analyse sensor data and to create new ways of interacting with the digital world.
Transforming Reality with AI
AI is transforming the way we create human models and scan objects. Thanks to software algorithms, augmented reality has moved from simply analysing key facial points to creating realistic 3D models that can be used as avatars or elements of virtual environments. This opens up new perspectives for the use of AR in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Object Recognition and Labelling
AI-based machine vision is capable of identifying objects and labelling them online. Already today, test versions of the software are able to recognise a table in a room and virtually place different objects on it, which is indispensable when designing structures and interiors in closed rooms.
Future of AR and AI
Advances in AI models like Chat-GPT are opening up new possibilities for augmented reality. Tools that use natural language processing to create and manipulate 3D objects are already being applied to AR development. This will soon lead to complex textures and animations.
Jumping Into the Meta Universe with AR-Tech
The concept of a virtual world where users can interact in real time is still evolving. Initially, most people’s attention was focused on cryptocurrencies and blockchain. But as interest in these technologies waned, AR proved more promising for realising the concept of a meta-universe.
Avatar Realism: A Bridge Between the Real and Virtual Worlds
The future of social augmented reality is marked by a seamless transition from cartoon avatars to realistic avatars. Apple demonstrated the technology in the announcement of Vision Pro. The presented concept of “Spatial Personas” uses machine learning to reflect facial expressions and gestures in social interactions through AR/VR.
Meta is developing a similar system called Codec Avatars. Realistic avatars are created using generative models that help automate the creation of realistic 3D faces.
Mobile Augmented Reality: From Games to Business Tools
Mobile augmented reality emerged as entertainment. But now it has turned into a powerful tool for business, production and education. AR-technologies on porous devices have come a long way from simple games to multifunctional business applications. Now they help visualise products and services, simplify navigation, and are used in training programmes.
Some of the best known developments include ARKit and ARCore. These are the main platforms from Apple and Google that offer tools for creating AR applications. In particular, we are talking about:
- Innovations in ARKit 6 – 4K video recording during AR sessions, location anchors for new cities, LiDAR scanner depth API;
- ARCore features projective geometry to interact with the urban environment.
Mobile AR has the potential for further growth. New developments in AI and machine learning will help create intuitive and useful applications that will become an integral part of everyday life and work.
Webar – Creating Affordable Experiences
WebAR is a technology for using augmented reality through a web browser, bypassing the installation of special applications. This approach makes AR more accessible to a wider audience.
WebAR technologies use standard web tools to create AR on virtually any device with a camera. Unlike mobile AR applications that require powerful hardware support, they offer simple solutions with lower resource consumption.
Educational institutions and educational platforms are adopting new technologies to create interactive lessons so that students can learn complex concepts through visualisation. Museums and galleries are using WebAR to interact with exhibits through mobile devices.
Cross-Platform Augmented Reality Apps
Already today, applications for all OS types are the goal of large corporations oriented towards the international market. But the development of universal software entails difficulties:
- Each OS and device has its own technical capabilities and limitations. This prevents the creation of applications that would be compatible with low-powered and high-performance devices.
- Creating native AR software requires substantial investment and a team of professionals capable of solving specific technical problems.
- Cross-platform development tools cannot provide the same level of performance and quality as native applications.
At the same time, universal software significantly speeds up the entry into the service market. For example, most online shop options are platform-independent, and therefore do not place high demands on device performance. In such cases, cross-platform solutions are quite adequate, as they offer a simple product preview module in AR.
Let’s Summarize
Augmented reality is impacting various areas of our lives and businesses. The integration of artificial intelligence, mobile AR, cross-platform and web-based applications is transforming the way users interact with the digital world. In the future, this will lead to dramatic changes in marketing, entertainment, industry and the education system.
