While AR technology will continue to advance, it’s more important for organizations to get existing AR projects into production using existing technology. Any advancements that come down the road can be used to enhance these initial implementations. It is also important for organizations to think more broadly about the role of artificial intelligence, machine learning (ML), and AR in the contest of delivering digital experiences.
“While AR can play a key role in training and in the remediation efforts of manufacturing assets, if organizations combine AR with predictive maintenance efforts using ML, they can move from reactive or regularly scheduled maintenance to a pro-active approach that leverages digital twin technology for highly accurate predictions—taking into account different operating and environmental characteristics for each asset,” said Mark Troester, VP of Strategy at Progress. “Imaging using ML to automate an action, or to automatically schedule maintenance when a human is required. That human is notified as part of an integrated field service experience where a combination of conversational and AR is used to speed the corrective action. Organizations that take a broad view of these technologies aligned with business goals will achieve competitive differentiation in their markets.”
System integrators have a vital role to play in this sector.
The role of a system integrator
Steve Curran, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Day 8 Studios pointed out that as digitally native consumers show support for retailers that offer technologies such as AR, retailers will in return seek out system integrators that offer them access to platforms like ROAR that have been designed specifically for the needs of brands and retailers. System Integrators can engage with ROAR at an enterprise level as a re-seller.
Troester pointed out that the most important role that system integrators can have is to help identify and articulate the value of AR to the various stakeholders of their clients. If this is not done correctly, it doesn’t matter how technology is used or how AR is implemented.
“I also think that they can help ensure that AR is not implemented in a silo, but rather as part of a broader multi- or omnichannel digital experience,” Troester said. “For example, how AR can be combined with conversational interfaces such as chat and integrated across mobile, web, kiosk, home devices, POS experiences. Finally, system integrators can play a major role in helping organizations leverage their data and turn that data into insight that drives autonomous processing, 3D visual representation."
According to David Grand, Marketing Manager at Sirea and iAR, by integrating augmented reality with sensors, we can identify for example in an electric cabinet where are dangerous areas, highlight dangerous components by following the electric schema that you can get in an app. It doesn't guarantee 100 percent security, but it provides technical assistance to reduce some of the most important accident that occurs next to machines with humans.
Looking ahead
Industry experts are positive that the next few years will see tremendous growth in the integration of AR into retail. As physical locations get more digitalized, and digital experiences become better at mimicking the physical experience of shopping, stores will be like websites and websites will be like stores.
“Consumers are expecting these types of solutions and rewarding retailers that provide them with their loyalty,” Curran said. “With improvements in body detection from AI, the implementation of ‘magic mirrors’ will revolutionize the fitting room experience. The ability for consumers to scan any product in the store to learn more will become more ubiquitous. As consumers come to rely more on their devices to tell them about a product, offer them options, and even check out, retailers will improve efficiency and reduce employee costs.”