In yet another sign that Apple is developing or planning to introduce systems using Augmented Reality, tech analyst Chip Chowdry told the Washington Post that the company is developing a 27- to 50-inch heads-up display for automobile windshields.

The new display would also incorporate gesture control by using sensors integrated into the windshield.

Release of the technology is “not imminent” and could conceivably be used in many different applications, such as TVs. The article recently published in Autoguide.com new section speculates the windshield AR technology could also be used in Apple’s rumored self-driving car. This would make Apple one of a number of companies working on Augmented Reality windscreens, such as Land Rover and Supplier Continental.

Catavolt, a provider of enterprise application mobility solutions, has published a new eBook about optimizing manufacturing processes with real-time data which summarizes results of data collected from 111 manufacturing professionals in various disciplines about trends and technology that are driving operational excellence. This is an excellent resource for manufacturing and AR professionals.

In a recent post on the Catavolt blog some of the important study findings in relation to AR-assisted systems were summarized. Specifically, Augmented Reality is improving operational efficiencies in manufacturing by reducing production downtime, quickly identifying problems and keeping processes moving. An example provided is the use of AR in the assembly of F-35 Lightening II fighter jets at Lockheed Martin. It is interesting that there are not more companies mentioned or projects described.

Suggesting benefits of Augmented Reality is the first step in educating customers. Unfortunately, the Catavolt blog post fails to mention any of the obstacles that face those who are beginning to implement AR in their manufacturing processes. It would also have been valuable to gather insights on how early adopters in manufacturing industries are addressing major barriers encountered in the Augmented Reality introduction process.

According to a post published by CB Insights, VR and Augmented Reality companies are receiving a lot of attention from investors. The second quarter of 2015 saw $131 M raised in 16 deals.

While the amount invested in 2Q is an increase in terms of dollars raised quarter-to-quarter, up from $117 M in Q1, the number of deals is lower (1Q saw 25 new investments).

In the first half of 2015, there have been $248 Mn invested in 41 deals; that is a major improvement from the first half of 2014: $93 M invested in 23 deals.

Aside from the Magic Leap investment in fourth quarter 2014, the startups with the greatest investment in the past year are in three segments: healthcare (LensAR), hardware support (Matterport, Movidius, Leap Motion, Meta) and mobile software (NantMobile). 

Google Ventures and Intel Capital were the most active corporates in the space, tying with Andreessen Horowitz and TechStars for second place after Rothenberg Ventures.

In this essay published on the Singularity Hub blog, Jody Medich, a consultant and 3D user experience designer, compares how different 2D and 3D interfaces are for users and should be thought about deeply by those who seek to deliver the full value of virtual and Augmented Reality. The essay suggests that moving from 2D to 3D experiences with digital content is as profound as moving from the command line interface of DOS to the graphical user interfaces provided in later operating systems such as Macintosh OS and Windows.

The author begins with several observations with which no one can argue. For example, humans rely heavily on their vision for acquiring knowledge and just about everything else. Humans also use space to think. Medich explains that humans use three dimensional space to offload a number of cognitively heavy tasks from working memory. For example, space helps humans understand relationships between objects as a result of their relative proximity to one another.

The essay concludes with the suggestion that Augmented Reality systems will deliver a new technological revolution in which users work with infinite space. In infinite spatial systems, users create spatial buckets in which to organize their digital belongings, tools and tasks. These ideas are valuable for everyone to consider, even those who are not trained UX designers, because to use infinite spatial interfaces the new concepts will need to be understood by all.

Fast Company takes a look at the 106-page patent filing of Magic Leap, an Augmented and Virtual Reality startup that recently closed a $542 million financing round led by Google.

The patent application reveals gesture-controlled smart glasses featuring an innovative user interface based on totem objects such as virtual keychains of menus and commands, allowing users to interact in new ways with information about their environment. The patent filing also shows virtual menus and dials being displayed on a user’s hand in order to transform the hand into an interface “controller.”

Although the majority of scenarios are consumer oriented (e.g., changing television channels via hand movements), a few use cases describe enterprise scenarios. One example shows a firefighter using a glove as an interface controller to communicate with the dispatcher, while another describes a Magic Leap-equipped doctor using a 3D model of a heart for guidance during surgery

As the interest in enterprise Augmented Reality continues to rise, customers need assistance to understand how the offers (and the promised products) they are being offered fit together or compete with one another.

In this article on Design News website, author Tom Emrich reviews the latest achievements of AREA members including DAQRI, Atheer Labs and APX Labs and explains how the offerings of these firms differ and resemble those of EPSON, Microsoft and Google. The article also reminds prospective buyers that the price of smart glasses and head mounted personal displays designed for Augmented Reality will continue to decline and for many purposes the digital eyewear will replace simple safety glasses.

Digi-Capital has released its “Augmented/Virtual Reality Report Q2 2015“, in which it predicts a $150 billion market for Augmented and Virtual Reality by 2020. Despite healthy competition among AR/VR players, Digi-Capital doesn’t see Augmented and Virtual Reality lifting off until next year.

Besides defining seven key drivers against which today’s players will need to deliver in order to dominate the Augmented Reality market, Digi-Capital has created a “Reality Matrix” for providing context for understanding the drivers. Interestingly, Digi-Capital distinguishes between Augmented Reality (which “gives users the equivalent of Iron Man’s holographic display with transparent virtual objects in the real world in daylight, e.g., Meta”) and mixed reality (which “gives users virtual objects that appear solid in the real world in daylight (e.g. Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap), or switches easily between AR and VR, e.g., ODG”). Here at the AREA, we tend to simply label all systems not designed for Virtual Reality as Augmented Reality systems.

Digi-Capital sees the mobile market as dwarfing the AR/VR market and cautions today’s AR players about the risks of competing with the likes of Apple, Lenovo, Samsung, and Huawei.

Despite excellent articles explaining their unique value, many people continue to be confused about the differences between Virtual and Augmented Reality. In this recently released infographic, the author illustrates how Virtual and Augmented Reality share enabling technologies. It is helpful to see the companies that are participating in different segments of the ecosystem. Where there are tight relationships between some of the vendors and/or brands, they are shown as grouped with a dotted line.

The illustration could be improved by separating the Virtual and Augmented Reality development environments and engineering frameworks as well as clarifying the role of businesses identified in the industry-specific segments. Perhaps the next version will also include industry associations, such as the AR for Enterprise Alliance.

The large consulting firms and market research publishers are watching the growth of Augmented Reality closely and encouraging their enterprise customers to get started. Getting started needs to include selecting the best tools for the pilot project.

In this short report summary on Forrester Research web site it appears that Forrester has developed an evaluation matrix. The matrix supports the technology selection and Augmented Reality decision process based on the tasks for which the program is designed.

This sounds highly useful and we look forward to learning more about the matrix from clients who have tried it.

One of the key objectives of the AR for Enterprise Alliance is to reduce the hype around Augmented Reality so that those who wish to introduce it have realistic expectations and positive results are achievable. Setting expectations within reach of current technologies frequently requires “busting myths” that have developed in literature, motion picture or games.

This post on the InfinityLeap.com blog examines three myths. First, AR is not like Minority Report. Second, Augmented Reality does not replace everything. And third, Augmented Reality cuts costs. Augmented Reality is more than a new interface, it is complementary to enterprise information technology and systems and it does have a cost for acquisition and deployment, however these costs can be offset by measurable benefits.