An article in the Guardian sets out how Augmented Reality is building a better future in construction and reinventing the industry. Construction projects can come along with a variety of problems. Research by McKinsey & Company found that construction was one of the least digitized industries, until now.

AREA Member DAQRI is mentioned in the article for their smart helmet which is designed for industrial settings.

Digitization allows information to be shared in real-time and leads to better outcomes such as those summarised below:

• By overlaying virtual data and images on to a physical space, potential flaws that may arise in complicated processes can be spotted early.
• Workers can see how a construction schedule might be affected by potential problems and take measures to avoid them.
• The construction industry is being reinvented, since clients want to speed up their time to market
• Designs and systems are growing in complexity e.g. buildings are being assembled in new ways.
• Quotes in praise of Augmented Reality come from Gilbane Building Company who tested Microsoft’s HoloLens.

AR is also making it easier for planners and architects to collaborate with contractors and to reassure clients and address their concerns. AR is attractive due to its ability to deliver cost savings and reduce the chances of a build falling behind schedule. This in turn may lead to increased investment in the construction industry.

Using AR may be used to showcase a building or piece of infrastructure to potential investors in its proposed real-world location. This makes it more understandable (for example how the asset connects with its surroundings) and thus more attractive to potential investors.

Going further still, software is being developed that will enable companies to deliver an end-to-end service, showing clients what the inside of a build will look like when furnished a certain way.

ABI research has released a summary article on their research into Medical Augmented Reality, which is predicted to accelerate in growth after 2019. The source post on abiresearch.com says that current medical AR activity comes mainly from first responder trials and initial forays into training and education applications, and that the market will grow through widened telemedicine and surgery use cases. Enhancing the operating room experience and remote surgery viewings and preparations are expected to benefit from expanding AR in the medical sector.

Michael Inouye, Principal Analyst at ABI Research, says that “several key milestones need to be met” before this time. He says that medical education applications expansion is vital, and that significant investment and safety trials will be required in order to use AR in a surgery setting, this could start taking shape as early as 2017.

Pristine, Ubimax and Vuzix are some of the companies that are beginning to work towards the anticipated medical AR demand.

A research study has been conducted and released by P&S Market Research. Details taken from openpr.com. The report details insights into market size, share, development, growth and demand forecast of the AR and VR sectors. Major factors driving such technology are the advancements in internet connectivity and computer technology, the article says, along with increased demand for AR and VR in the healthcare industry.

The research study covers the following:

• Potential demand in market uncovered
• Information on current and historical market size along with potential of future market
• Key drivers of growth identified as are challenges of key industry players
• Extensive understanding of the market
• Assessment of future impact of propellants and restraints on market
• Identification of competitive forces within market
• Sizes of key regional markets provided
• Competitive scenario of the market highlighted
• Profiles of dominant competitors of the market provided

A recent report by MarketersMedia has been released, analyzing the Global Mobile Augmented Reality Market by component (hardware and software) and application in various industries such as telecommunication and enterprise. It involves primary research in addition to quantitative and qualitative analysis from experts working in the industry.

Other information in the report includes

• Current market scenario
• Historical and projected market size
• Value and volume
• Technological advancement
• Macro-economical and governing factors
• Strategies of key players in the industry
• Study of market segments and regions

The growth driver of the market includes:

• Growing mobile expansion
• Growing production of mobile app stores
• Growing investment in smart device

The four main geographical locations studied in the report are:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia
• Rest of the World (ROW)

Key industry players mentioned in the report include:

• AREA member DAQRI (US)
• AREA member Catchoom (Spain)
• Microsoft Corporation (US)
• Google Inc. (US)
• Samsung Electronics Ltd. (South Korea)
• Blippar (UK)
• Infinity Augmented Reality (Israel)

A post on openpr.com has presented the rising demand for AR in Automotive and Architecture industries, which is expected to catapult the growth of the global AR market. This information comes from a 516 page research study named, “Augmented Reality (AR): Market Shares, Strategies, And Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 To 2022” which puts forward an in-depth analysis into potential opportunities and prospective growth in the AR market.

Retail and tourism industries are offering increasing opportunities for the AR market across the globe, according to the research, however factors such as limited size of mobile phone memory cards, less storage and restricted processing power, could impede the growth of the market.

The research names some of the prominent companies within the AR sector: ODG, Dagri, Seiko Epson, Vuzix, Wikitude, Google, Total Immersion, Atheer, Niantic, Blippar, Sony, Infinity Augmented Reality, Microsoft and PTC. Company profiles, product portfolio, business strategies, financial status and SWOT analysis of such players are outlined in the study.

An article by Martin Rushmore on the Port Strategy website, discusses potential uses of Augmented Reality in the Port Industry and obstacles that may have caused slow acceptance and adoption.

The high degree of risk, safety, the environment and complexity seems to be the main reasons for the slow acceptance among ports. Other factors mentioned in the detailed article, with comments from industry experts, are summarised below:

• Military experimentation and testing, such as the NAVD diving helmet. (See a previous AREA article here for more information). This is currently in the second phase of testing. Once perfected, the system will be used for commercial salvage and repair, providing benefits for ports.
• Cost is still an uncertain factor and companies must still look at the cost vs. revenue balance.
• Cargo movements at ports requires maintaining reliable real-time information, where a glitch in the system can lead to costly and dangerous consequences.
• The industry needs reliable partners who understand both the industry and the technology to provide a useful solution.
• The potential for AR in ports is great and that there is ROI could be within 12 months in some cases, especially when it comes to its use in training applications.
• A combination of technologies might be used to improve performance in the environment for example by bringing together real-time operating data and make it a key stroke or finger swipe away from the user, so the relevant data is where it needs to be when it needs to be there. This improves productivity and safety for the operations.
• Improved visualization is possible e.g. the uses are product visualisation, project and process alignment, and training/education of employees and stakeholders.
• Ports have adopted VR technology for more than a decade in training;, this can be advanced and improved with AR.
• Lack of understanding may impede growth. It is said that Augmented reality technology may not be well understood in the port industry. There is no one application provider focused specifically on applications for ports.
• The article mentions how AR could be used in security, for example emergency personnel could have their vision blocked during a fire; AR overlay will allow the emergency services to get to assets to shut down the equipment.

A recent article on Worldcrunch discusses how Augmented Reality is going to be applied in industry in the near future as well as in smartphone games such as Pokemon Go. Patrick Sayd, head of the vision and engineering laboratory at technology research institute CEA List, is quoted to have said that improved smartphone technology has aided the success of AR applications due to AR overlay having to adapt to movements of the camera.

Other key points in the article include:

• Testia has developed Mira, an AR application for aircraft manufacturers that finds the appropriate place for “brackets” (which secure the interior walls of an aircraft) to go. This app has reduced time taken to do such a job from three weeks down to just three hours.
• Boston Consulting Group is working on a projector that will enable hands-free use by displaying virtual images onto the workplace.
• Moundir Rachidi from the company is quoted to have said that AR will increase quality and productivity as well as decrease training time.
• Safran, an aerospace organisation, has been investigating the many possibilities for AR over the past year. Nicolas Lepape, head of this ARVR project, is quoted to have said that the position of pipes needed in the engine can be visually projected onto it.
• Many other companies are currently using, or planning on using AR, such as Airbus and Sunna Design.
• It is predicted by some that wireless lenses will replace headsets and smart glasses in the future.

Earlier this week, e27 released a summary article detailing the role that Augmented Reality technology can play in business as well as gaming and entertainment. The article also mentions that AR can aid the growth of various industries, such as travel and retail.

Applications of AR addressed in the article are as follows:

• Employee training and on-boarding: engaging and interactive training sessions can be created via AR technology. An overlay of graphics or on-screen instructions can be displayed from a headset or smart glasses to train employees. Remote training can also be given.
• Virtual tours / showrooms: businesses can utilize AR to show consumers their products virtually, enabling an in-person experience.
• Project prototyping: project owners can virtually present their product to investors and demonstrate its features.
• Navigation and routing: heads-up displays allow drivers who are transporting products for their business to navigate their way to the desired location in the fastest time possible.

A recent report by Wise Guy Reports has been released, detailing sales of the global Automotive Smart Glass market. There is a focus on particular geographical areas as well as key players in the industry. The years 2011 to 2016 are covered, and there is also a forecast for 2021.

Key topics covered in the report include:

• Product overview
• Classification and application of Automotive Smart Glass
• Market size
• Sales / revenue and growth rate
• Basic information on companies involved

Key regions analysed in the report are as follows:

•  USA
•  China
•  Europe
•  Japan
•  India
• Southeast Asia

Key companies noted in the report include: 

• Saint-Gobian S.A.
• Webasto SE
• Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
• Inteva Products
• Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
• Gentex Corporation
• Xinyi Glass Co., Ltd.
• Magna International Inc.

This week, Research and Markets released an additional report named “Immersive Connected Experience (ICE) Computing Market: By Type (Simulating Environments, Augmented Reality) & By Region – Forecast (2014 – 2021)”, which includes the market size of global Immersive Connected Experience (ICE) in 2014 to 2016, and predicts market growth for 2021.

Topics in the report include:

• Market overview
• Market landscape
• Market forces
• Market by type / geography
• Market entropy
• Executive summary
• Company profiles

Opportunities for market growth are also discussed, in addition to drivers and challenges of the market. Despite North America being a key geographical market which is forecast to maintain the highest share, it is predicted that Asia Pacific will have the greatest growth from 2014 to 2021 due to increased population and awareness of ICE.
Companies discussed in detail in the report include:

• Samsung
• Microsoft
• Intel
• Verizon
• Huawei