The Lenovo Mirage AR Headset is a One-Of-A-Kind Product
The $250 Lenovo Mirage AR headset is a one-of-a-kind product. It lets you slide in a smartphone and play a couple of colorful, full-fledged AR games.
But it’s still a high-end gizmo with experimental technology that remains unattractive to consumers. It’s more likely to appeal to businesses and professionals.
Productivity
Augmented reality is a form of virtual technology that overlays digital information onto the user’s physical world. It is accessible through devices like smartphones and tablets, unlike virtual or mixed reality (VR) headsets that require immersion. This technology provides a seamless way to enhance the experience of the real world with graphics, text or video overlays.
Many people think of AR as a game feature, but it has many important applications in the workplace. It has been proven to boost productivity in the areas of training, operations and maintenance, R&D, and safety. For example, in one study, employees wearing AR headsets could follow step-by-step instructions for complex assembly work without having to look at a computer or paper manual. This reduced the time needed for each task and led to significant productivity gains.
Another example is the use of augmented reality by salespeople to help them make more informed product decisions while at the store. By letting them see and interact with 3D visualisations of products, AR can reduce the likelihood of high return rates. In addition, it can also be used to identify the correct item in a crowded warehouse or manufacturing facility. Lastly, health professionals can use AR to locate veins for IV injections. This can help prevent misplaced needles and ensure patients receive the correct dose of medication.
Entertainment
AR headsets have cameras that capture real-world images and sensors that track movement and spatial orientation. The data is then processed by powerful processors to render and display digital information or visual effects that seem to coexist with the user’s environment.
Augmented reality is one of the most popular uses for these devices. Users can point their smartphones at a landmark or historical site, for example, and AR will provide them with additional information about it. Augmented reality devices can also enhance television shows by providing viewers with supplemental information while they are watching.
Virtual reality is another popular application for AR headsets. Virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive immerse users in simulated environments that feel ar headset completely real. The technology is also being used by theater companies to create new types of interactive and immersive performances that will appeal to a younger audience.
The possibilities for AR and VR are endless, especially when it comes to entertainment. Businesses in the movie, music and sports industries should be on the lookout for opportunities to integrate these technologies into their offerings. For example, an augmented reality experience could give viewers more insight into the backstory of a song or help them understand how to play a new sport. It could even be a fun way to entertain guests at parties or company events.
Socializing
AR headsets can allow users to interact with virtual objects in their environment. They can also connect to ar solutions smart products and display real-time data about them.
This data can be used to control the products, for example, by touching a digital graphic overlay or speaking a command that gets sent via the cloud to the product. This technology is called augmented reality and is sometimes combined with virtual reality (VR) to create mixed reality experiences.
In a recent study, researchers demonstrated that people can use an AR headset to interact with other people who are in different physical locations. The system works by combining hand-tracking technology with a special antenna that can scan for and localize RFID tags in an area up to 3 meters around the headset. Once the headset detects a tag, it uses RF signals to verify that the user is holding the correct item. It then translates that information into the virtual representation of that item in the headset.
This type of collaborative AR is called social AR. It can be used to communicate with coworkers, teach students, and even collaborate on medical procedures. However, it is important that social AR follows accepted social norms to avoid over-reliance on the headset or missing critical cues from the real world.
Training
AR headsets add virtual elements to the wearer’s real-world environment, facilitating understanding and decision-making. These devices differ from virtual reality headsets, which require complete immersion. Examples of augmented reality headsets include Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap One and Epson Moverio.
Many AR applications have practical uses in the workplace, including training. For example, an engineer can use augmented reality to see how to assemble components for a project. This eliminates the need to read paper instructions and saves time. It also reduces the chance of error. In addition, a worker can check for errors by viewing digital data about equipment in the field.
Workers can also use augmented reality to perform a job from anywhere without being physically present at the worksite. For instance, a worker can receive a set of steps to repair an industrial robot from a remote location. This technology can significantly improve productivity and safety.
Augmented reality has significant potential for training purposes, including allowing medical students to experience anatomy and physiology in a safe and controlled environment. This type of immersive virtual learning is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to greatly enhance the educational process. However, there are several challenges that must be addressed before organizations can fully leverage AR in training. These challenges include device compatibility, user interface and navigation, and alignment with business objectives.