Is augmented reality at the end? Industry expert clarifies!

Is augmented reality at the end? Industry expert clarifies!

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have promised a lot. But while expectations were great, reality often looks different. Like Heise.de reports, established input methods such as mouse, keyboard and touchscreens are still dominating. In a podcast, AR pioneer Kharis O’Connell is critical of the stagnating development in the industry.

his career began in 2009 at Nokia, followed by an important role as design manager at Meta. Even if Meta developed an AR headset with a spatial interface, the company had to file for bankruptcy in 2019. In O’Connell's eyes, the standstill in the AR sector is not solely due to the technology: "The innovations just don't come fast enough," he says, and challenges companies such as Apple and Google to become more active. Devices such as the Apple Vision Pro, he believes, will not change the way we work.

A look at the future of human-computer interaction

What has been able to do in human-computer interaction for the past two decades? According to O’Connell, the last innovations in mobile phones and game consoles could apply to deeper interactions with digital worlds as a forerunner for the future. Nikolas Badminton , chief futurist of the futurist Think tank, gets to the point: "It's about how we understand our world and how machines can help." And exactly on this point O’Connell sees the potential of Ar.

An article by Shervin Minaee and others traces an important aspect of the discussion. In her research contribution to AR, submitted in February 2022, it becomes clear that this technology has again gained interest in recent years, especially through the success of new machine learning process. AR has found numerous applications in areas such as gaming, entertainment, education and even healthcare.

Current trends and challenges

It is remarkable that AR continues to suffer from challenges despite almost fifty -year history. The applications are broad, from AR shopping to image filters in social media to animations. The authors of the article also discuss the basic challenges that need to be managed to further advance the technology.

In this area of ​​tension, O’Connell also asks the question of the actual demand. He sees the technology obsession in the Tech world as risky: "We have to ask ourselves whether what we produce is really needed," he explains. He describes his own departure from the AR industry as refreshing and necessary.

summarized are AR and VR at a critical point. While the technologies have all the prerequisites for a breakthrough, innovations and real applications that enrich everyday life must be created. The key lies in the real interaction between man and machine-and this will have to be measured by the future of the AR sector.