Emerging Technologies 
Industries That Need to Be Using AR/VR
Realm Digital 24 October 2024
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have evolved into powerful business tools that can transform how customers engage with your brand by creating immersive digital environments that transport customers to new worlds.
As a global digital technology company, at Realm Digital we deal with these exciting technologies every day! We know that the growing influence of AR and VR is already evident across many industries, with companies using them to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and elevate customer experiences.
In this blog, we’ll explore some key AR and VR examples that illustrate how forward-looking companies are using virtual reality in business to drive their success.
Understanding AR and VR – A Brief Overview
Augmented Reality (AR) enriches the real world by overlaying digital elements, such as images, text, or 3D models onto a user’s view of their surroundings. This is typically achieved through smartphones, tablets, or specialised AR glasses. Augmented reality in business enhances our perception of reality by providing additional information or context, making it useful for applications like navigation, product visualisation, and interactive marketing.
Virtual Reality (VR), on the other hand, creates a completely immersive digital environment that replaces the user’s real-world surroundings. VR headsets, equipped with displays and sensors, track the user’s head and body movements, and create a sense of presence in, and interaction with, the virtual world. Virtual reality for business is particularly effective for simulations, training, retail and entertainment. It allows users and customers to experience scenarios that would be impractical or impossible in the real world.
Key Industries That Use AR and VR Technologies
Here are just a few augmented and virtual reality industries:
Manufacturing and Engineering
Use Cases: Virtual prototyping, design simulations, and training.
Examples: VR examples include companies like Airbus and Boeing that use VR for design reviews and assembly simulations. This reduces costs and improves collaboration. AR is also used for on-the-job staff training and in maintenance, guiding technicians with real-time information and instructions that boost work delivery and efficiency.
Healthcare
Use Cases: Surgical simulations, patient care, treatment for mental health issues like PTSD and anxiety, and other medical training.
Examples: AR examples include surgeons using AR overlays to visualise critical anatomical structures during surgical procedures, which improves accuracy and reduces complications. VR is also used for pain reduction/management and exposure therapy, providing immersive distractions like deep relaxation, interoceptive awareness, and attention-shifting in controlled environments for the treatment of pain.
Education and Training
Use Cases: Immersive learning experiences, virtual classrooms, corporate training.
Examples: VR field trips transport students to historical landmarks or distant planets, while AR apps bring textbooks to life with interactive 3D models. Companies use VR to train employees in soft skills and safety procedures, offering a cost-effective and engaging alternative to traditional methods.
Retail and E-Commerce
Use Cases: Virtual try-ons in clothing shops, immersive shopping experiences, visualising paint or tile colours on walls or floors.
Examples: Augmented reality examples include IKEA’s AR app which allows customers to visualise furniture in their homes before purchasing. Similarly, Italtile’s Visualizer enables customers to see what a particular tile will look like on their floors or walls. Sephora’s Virtual Artist lets users try on makeup virtually. VR enables shops to offer personalised shopping experiences to customers, even from remote locations.
Real Estate, Architecture & Tours
Use Cases: Architectural visualisation of buildings and virtual tours through properties.
Examples: Real estate agents use VR to showcase properties to potential buyers, eliminating the need for physical visits. Architects use AR to overlay virtual models onto existing spaces, aiding communication and design decisions about new buildings or renovations/changes to existing ones.
Emerging Industries Embracing AR/VR Applications
Hospitality and Tourism
Use Cases: Virtual tours, walk-throughs through potential venues, visiting attractions, immersive travel experiences.
Examples: AR/VR is revolutionising tourism! Hotels, game lodges and holiday resorts offer VR previews of rooms and amenities, enticing guests to book. Virtual travel experiences allow users to explore destinations, landscapes and attractions from the comfort of their homes. Tour operators enable travellers to ‘visit’ their holiday destinations before they book their trip.
Entertainment and Media
Use Cases: Immersive gaming, virtual events, interactive storytelling.
Examples: VR gaming delivers unparalleled levels of immersion and interaction, redefining the entertainment experience. Virtual concerts and conferences connect people across the world, while AR enhances live events with interactive elements. By breaking down geographical barriers, enhancing live events and transforming marketing and advertising, AR/VR provides new opportunities for brands to interact with their customers. It’s already shaping the future of entertainment!
Automotive Industry
Use Cases: Virtual car design, analysis of vehicle behaviours and performance, smart car development, driver training, customer experiences.
Examples: Car manufacturers use VR for design and prototyping, reducing development costs and time. VR driving simulations offer safe and stress-free training environments for drivers. AR enhances a driver’s in-car experience with navigation and information overlays.
The Benefits of AR/VR in Business
The benefits for companies using AR and VR are impressive, and the technology’s limits have yet to be tapped! They include:
- Improved Efficiency and Productivity: AR/VR facilitates visualisation and collaboration, accelerating product development, streamlining processes and reducing errors.
- Enhanced Customer Engagement and Experiences: By creating personalised, engaging and immersive interactions for customers, it improves customer engagement and retention and boosts sales.
- Cost-Effective Training and Improved Skills Development: By providing safe and accessible learning environments, training and development are enhanced and become more effective. This reduces the risks and costs associated with real-world practice.
- Innovative Marketing and Sales: AR/VR creates unique and memorable experiences, differentiating brands, attracting and retaining customers, and boosting profits.
- Better Decision-Making Through Data Visualisation: VR enables immersive data exploration through virtual simulations and visualisations. This enhances understanding and generates better insights, which leads to more informed decisions and the development of more effective policies.
- Remote Collaboration and Communication: AR/VR bridges geographical gaps, enabling teams to work together effectively in shared virtual environments.
Challenges and Considerations
While AR and VR hold immense promise, we know their implementation can come with some hurdles. The cost of the hardware and development can be a barrier for some businesses, and its adoption may still face some resistance. That said, as technology advances and becomes more affordable, we have no doubt of its wider adoption and integration. The benefits of AR/VR are too compelling to be ignored.
How Realm Digital Can Help Your Business
At Realm Digital, we help companies harness the game-changing power of AR and VR in business to reach their goals. Our services include:
- Consultation and Strategy Development: We build a full understanding of your unique needs and objectives, so we can craft tailored AR/VR solutions specifically for you.
- Custom Application Development: We then build immersive experiences that align with your brand and objectives.
- Integration and Implementation: We seamlessly integrate AR/VR into your existing workflows.
- Training and Support: Finally, we ensure you and your team are fully equipped to leverage these technologies effectively and confidently.
AR and VR are rapidly transforming multiple industries by offering solutions that enhance efficiency and customer engagement. From manufacturing and healthcare, to retail and entertainment, these technologies are reshaping the way we work, learn, and interact with the world around us.
Reach out today to learn more about how AR and VR can revolutionise YOUR business!
Share this article
