12 Cutting-Edge Augmented Reality Trends Shaping Our World in 2023

As we approach the end of 2023, the world of augmented reality (AR) has become more entwined with our daily lives than ever before. The visionaries behind this transformative technology, once confined to the realms of science fiction, have propelled us into an era where holograms, reminiscent of those in Star Wars and Marvel movies, have permeated our reality. Beyond being a source of entertainment, AR has emerged as a powerful tool driving innovation across various industries, from retail and business to gaming, healthcare, and even the military.

Let's delve into 2023 and explore the 12 augmented reality trends that are leaving an indelible mark, offering solutions to diverse business challenges and reshaping our understanding of immersive technology.

Trend #1: Augmented Reality Meets Artificial Intelligence

The synergy between artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality unfolds in two significant ways:

AI MAKES AR WORK BETTER: The intricate algorithms required to interpret sensor data in AR environments find a powerful ally in AI. Examples like ClipDrop, enabling quick digitization of real-world items into 3D objects, showcase how AI simplifies complex processes, contributing to a more accurate and efficient AR experience.

AUTOMATIC DESIGN: Apps like SketchAR exemplify the fusion of AI and AR in the realm of design. Empowering users to draw in AR, these applications highlight AI's potential to rapidly create intricate structures. This convergence hints at a future where AI could design and fabricate real-world structures, revolutionizing various industries.

Trend #2: Mobile Augmented Reality is Evolving

As we conclude 2023, mobile devices remain pivotal in delivering AR experiences to consumers. Notable advancements include:

GEOSPATIAL API FOR ARCORE: Google's introduction of a geospatial API for AR experiences marks a significant stride. Developers can now anchor AR content to specific latitude and longitude coordinates, enhancing location-specific AR applications.

ARKIT 6 ENHANCEMENTS: Apple's ARKit 6 upgrade, unveiled at WWDC 2022, introduces features like 4K video recording during AR experiences, upgraded depth APIs for more realistic scene occlusion, and improved motion capture. These enhancements elevate the quality of AR on Apple devices, offering a glimpse into the future of mobile AR.

ARCORE VS ARKIT: The competition between Apple and Google persists, with hardware disparities influencing the AR experiences offered. Businesses must strategically align their AR endeavors with the capabilities of different devices, recognizing the trade-offs between accessibility and quality.

Trend #3: AR Glasses, Future or Fiction?

Despite promises of consumer-friendly AR glasses every passing year, widespread adoption remains elusive. Meta's Cambria headset and Apple's advancements in LiDAR technology offer glimpses into the future. Additionally, Mojo Vision Labs has showcased the potential of augmented reality smart contact lenses, hinting at diverse innovations on the horizon.

Trend #4: Cross-Platform AR Gains Prominence

The challenge of developing cross-platform AR applications remains, balancing ease of coding with potential performance compromises. Businesses must weigh the complexity of their app against the desire for broader accessibility, with cross-platform AR serving as a pragmatic solution for less demanding applications.

Trend #5: AR in Marketing

Augmented Reality finds diverse applications in marketing, from interactive business cards to AR manuals and advertising. With the decline of traditional web banner ads, AR ads present a seamless alternative, providing users with immersive experiences without disrupting content flow.

Trend #6: Healthcare and Augmented Reality

Deloitte Research anticipates transformative shifts in healthcare, with AR and AI offering hands-free solutions and diagnostic tools. From Microsoft Hololens 2 aiding surgeons to telesurgery solutions and mental health apps, AR proves indispensable in addressing evolving healthcare challenges.

Trend #7: Augmented Reality Shopping Experiences

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of augmented reality in online shopping. Virtual try-on solutions, exemplified by brands like Dior and FRED Jewelry, enhance user experiences. Smart mirrors, both in-store and at home, offer novel ways to interact with products, combining the convenience of online shopping with immersive AR experiences.

Trend #8: Augmented Reality in Manufacturing

AR's potential in manufacturing extends beyond consumer-focused applications. From enhancing worker training with CAD-powered experiences to aiding technicians in maintenance processes, AR proves instrumental in providing contextual information and facilitating remote troubleshooting.

Trend #9: Leap into the Metaverse

In this age of digital convergence, augmented reality seamlessly blends with metaverse technologies. The metaverse, a term popularized by Facebook's 'Meta' rebranding, transcends marketing gimmicks, presenting a genuine opportunity to dissolve the barriers between the digital and physical worlds. Augmented reality, with its ability to display virtual objects in our tangible environment, opens up myriad possibilities for businesses and consumers alike.

AVATARS: AR pioneers like Geenee AR and Ready Player Me are leveraging body and face tracking, along with advanced scene depth sensing, to create camera filters that integrate digital avatars into our physical space. This innovation, while not entirely new, introduces a novel approach to hybridizing virtual meetings, offering a glimpse into the potential future of collaborative workspaces.

SPATIAL AUDIO: Spatial audio, seemingly unrelated to AR on the surface, plays a crucial role in enhancing the immersion of AR experiences. By incorporating 3D audio, metaverse technologists aim to engage all five senses, allowing users to perceive sound in three-dimensional space based on their position. Meta's AR Spark Studio stands out for its advanced engine that enables the creation of multi-sensory effects, enriching the overall augmented reality encounter.

TAKING DIGITAL ITEMS INTO THE REAL WORLD: The fascination with bridging the digital and physical realms continues to drive innovations. Meta's endeavors to display digital collectibles in AR and Sotheby's adoption of AR experiences for art auctions exemplify how this trend extends beyond the metaverse hype, offering tangible value in various domains.

Trend #10: WebAR: Better Accessibility with Compromise

WebAR emerges as a crucial trend, driven by the desire for accessibility. Powered by web browsers, WebAR eliminates the need for additional software downloads. However, this convenience comes with trade-offs, as WebAR may offer more basic experiences compared to native AR applications.

Trend #11: Powering Indoor and Outdoor Navigation

Advancements in technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi RTT make indoor navigation a reality. AR's role in navigation extends beyond consumer applications, proving valuable in distribution centers and stores, optimizing processes like buy online pick up in-store (BOPIS).

Trend #12: Augmented Reality in Automotive Industries

The automotive industry embraces AR for on-road object highlighting through heads-up displays (HUDs) and applications like parking assistance. Innovations like the MobiDev WakeUp app, utilizing ARKit facial recognition to prevent driver drowsiness, showcase the diverse applications of AR in this sector.

As we stand at the cusp of 2024, the augmented reality market is poised for continued growth. With a projected market size of $97.76 billion in 2028, AR is not just a fleeting trend but a transformative force shaping the future. Businesses that embrace rich AR experiences will be at the forefront of this evolution, offering unique and engaging interactions with their customers. Whether you're an early adopter or responding to immediate shifts, the world of augmented reality invites you to explore, innovate, and redefine what's possible.

In conclusion, as we step into the future, the fusion of augmented reality and our daily lives is inevitable. The question is not whether AR will become an integral part of our world, but how we choose to harness its potential.