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NewEquipment.com: Scott Montgomerie – February 28, 2020
The State of Augmented Reality Software and What’s to Come
A new wave is coming in terms of how enterprises create products as well as fix complicated machines, train their employees, and so much more. In this far-reaching article, Scott Montgomerie discusses the very latest developments in augmented reality software.
One of the key changes in the AR industry is the HoloLens2, manufactured by Microsoft. This device represents massive enhancements in terms of ease of use and visual impact. But perhaps the most important difference is that it’s designed for the enterprise. Whereas the video and entertainment industry has been the primary customers for AR and VR to date, the HoloLens 2 is targeted at software engineers and other use cases that uplevel the potential install base for this kind of technology. In addition, it will usher in a tremendous amount of new tools from big name companies (just check out the recent news from CES 2020 for proof of that).
As for the smaller players — the startups looking to create augmented reality software and other AR solutions — it’s pretty likely that history will repeat itself and we’ll see acquisitions and M&As as the playing field consolidates over time. The smaller fish will simply have to make the case that their technology can stand alongside the big players and Fortune 500 enterprises. It could happen, but it won’t be easy: the market is a multi-billion dollar one and only the best technology stands any chance of surviving.
One of the key ways to stand out is to create a hands-free augmented reality software device. When you have employees who work in manufacturing and have to fix complicated machines, hands-free may be the only way for workers to leverage AR efficiently. A lot of this has to do with the kind of augmented reality software device, how it’s powered, the details of its battery, its ability to ward off breaches, how it works on mobile, and many other factors. Hardware is less important in these instances than the actual content, and it’s important that big players find the right content partner who can ensure that software is updated frequently and ensure that enterprises can achieve ROI from their augmented reality software strategies.
Montgomerie goes on to touch upon a few more key areas in regards to AR considerations: non-immersive devices have their uses, and can generally last longer in terms of power, but have limited use cases. The HoloLens 2, in contrast, has a wider range of potential applications due to its ability to fully immerse the user in its environment, and therefore can help with tasks such as training, collaboration, manufacturing, and many other areas. He also addresses concerns about security.
Augmented Reality Software Poised to Make Significant Strides in 2020
The bottom line is that augmented reality software continues to gain traction in the enterprise, and employees from all kinds of industries will be able to take advantage of its unique benefits. As the user experience improves in terms of speed, power, and the ability to render images, a whole new generation of workers will have a powerful new way to perform their tasks.