In this article on the Huffington Post web site, co-chairmen of the Deloitte Consulting Center for the Edge explain the similarities between science fiction scenarios and how Augmented Reality-assisted learning will increasingly be attractive for businesses to train employees and workers that perform tasks involving physical world objects. In particular the authors emphasize the value of having collaborative support from a remote expert while learning a new task. Workplace performance improvements by providing information in context could also reduce the need for classroom training costs and time away from productive work. 

Many people believe that Augmented Reality will take off only once the smart glasses are widely available. There are, however, many options that are proving valuable in manufacturing scenarios. This video segment on local CBS affiliate TV station, describes how OPS Solutions’ Light Guide System uses software and a high-powered projector to overlay instructions onto a work station – or product – and guide workers through complex manual tasks. It also allows operators to confirm the completion of the tasks.

Kopin has announced in a press release that it will provide the display technology to an un-named integration company for the production of Augmented Reality-enabled helmets. The helmets, according to the press release, are designed for use by pilots that need to be able to see content in line of sight and in color even in bright environments. These are challenging requirements but shared by many companies with deskless workers in utilities, agriculture, logistics and other industries. It will be interesting to see the results of this integration. 

Past announcements about a partnership between Vuzix and Pristine, a software provider for remote assistance with smart glasses, foretold of exciting new services for the users of the M100. In the press release Vuzix issued such a service comes to light. The HP Visual Remote Guidance (VRG) service offers remote hands-free collaboration between a customer with a need or problem, and an expert providing the solution via detailed audio/video guidance. HP spokespeople suggest that VRG will reduce both the time and cost to resolve issues. 

Taking a little more time to perform due diligence on the recent acquisition rumors, staff writer Michelle Meyers’ article on the CNET site goes into more depth about Metaio’s change in circumstances and the impacts the acquisition could have on those planning or already deploying Augmented Reality.  Meyers did not obtain a confirmation of the rumor from Apple, but points out that a research note published by Piper Jaffray senior research analyst Gene Munster in March already confirmed that Apple is “exploring the augmented reality space.” If and when confirmed, the timing of the deal with respect to recent announcements by Google and Microsoft demonstrates that AR is an increasingly strategic component of the computing environment and the operating system in particular.

Most people accept that we will need to have smart glasses for immersive Augmented Reality in enterprise. The growth of this segment remains a difficult calculation to perform. In the press release issued by Tractica, a market research firm that focuses on human interaction with technology, the high level forecasts suggest that 114,000 smart glasses will be purchased by customers in 2015 and, in 2020, the number will exceed to 5 M. Over the five year period a total of 12.2 M units will be sold, according to the research summary. It’s one thing to estimate the shipment of devices in a new product category in 2015 and the likely shipments in the following five years, but it is also challenging to forecast the number of customers buying and expected retirement and replacement of those early units over the same period. How many early customers will be satisfied with their purchases for more than a few months?

The suspense in the market was palpable in the days leading up to the short post published on TechCrunch on Thursday May 28, and although the acquisition is still not confirmed by a press release from either company, many are not surprised to learn of the acquisition of Metaio by Apple Computer. This development in the Augmented Reality ecosystem will be the subject of much analysis before the dust settles. Despite the disruption to those businesses that based their products and services on Metaio technology, the technologies, customers and providers of Augmented Reality-enabled systems continue to evolve at a rapid pace.

The frequency with which new events focusing on Augmented Reality are announced is rising steadily. Some continue to focus on the consumer market while others clearly target enterprise audiences. In this announcement of the Enterprise Wearable Technology Summit, the event producer BrainXchange makes it clear that it will only feature the use cases and technologies suitable for use in enterprise and industrial settings. The preliminary agenda includes industry leaders such as Ubimax and many customers of Google Glass. The event will feature presentations as well as interactive discussions and workshops led by experienced users who will share their lessons learned and future plans.

Everyone defines “maturity” of a particular technology domain differently, depending on their point of view. From the point of view of one writer for the  Audio/Video professional market, Augmented Reality is approaching an inflection point. This article on AV Magazine’s web site does an outstanding job of describing Augmented Reality, it’s potential uses, the technology components and the areas that remain challenging. It also provides an estimated cost for Augmented Reality projects and recommends projects that will have impact over those that will flop or be forgotten.

One of the signs of technology maturing is the number of patents granted in the field. This article published on the Patent Vue web site, shares the results of an in depth study of the patents that could impact smart glasses manufacturers and providers of related Augmented Reality technology in coming years. The analysis reveals that Microvision Inc. is the largest US patent holder in this space, owning 233 US patents primarily related to hardware components for Augmented Reality systems, with a focus on miniaturized MEMS and PICO level systems.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co. follows with over 200 US patents. The majority of its patents are directed towards semiconductor-level technologies for displays and imaging substrates.

Google is the next largest patent holder the study identifies, with 117 US patents covering various physical hardware devices and related components, and software related to image-based user interfaces, user input technologies, and other user-experience applications. Canon, LG Electronics, Sony, Microsoft, IBM, Siemens, and Samsung are the next significant patent owners in this space.