By CIOReview | Thursday, October 10, 2024

Some of the most important VR and AR trends are the incorporation of AI into AR and VR, wearable AR and VR devices, and the impact of 5G on these technologies. 

FREMONT, CA: Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have steadily found more practical applications in recent years, but the technology's use is expected to grow dramatically in the years ahead. According to recent research, the global market value of AR and VR was roughly $30 billion in 2022, but by 2031, it is predicted to be more than $520 billion. An increasing number of actual application cases for the technology is driving this increase. These include immersive learning and social VR platforms, text detection and translation, and increased integration of AR, VR, and artificial intelligence, among other things. 

Major VR and AR trends that are noted below:

Rise of augmented reality avatars and virtual beings: In 2023, the digital avatar market in the United States accounted for more than 82 percent of total sales, and AR avatars are progressively connecting the physical and digital worlds. AR glasses and smartphone cameras bring conversational digital elements into the real world; they can assist social media users in identifying and interacting with other users on their preferred platform, and an increasing number of retailers will use them as virtual assistants capable of providing tailored support, personalized offers and recommendations.

AI integration for AR and VR: AI advancements have resulted in significant improvements to AR and VR technologies, including better rendering, tracking, and processing. This has had a tremendous impact on gaming by boosting the realism of 3D characters and landscapes, as well as the dynamic possibilities of game scenarios and interaction. 

Realistic simulations powered by AI can also help medical students practice operations, enabling compelling learning experiences for students and building immersive user experiences for customers.

5G's Impact on AR and VR: 5G services have the potential to revolutionize AR and VR, particularly because they enable split rendering, which increases throughput while minimizing latency. For example, real-time customer service and assistance, product demonstrations, teaching during live medical operations, in-person instruction, and collaboration on design and architecture projects could all benefit from 5G's speed.

Wearable AR and VR devices: AR and VR technology are increasingly being integrated into wearable devices, with smart glasses and headsets becoming popular. This development field is still in its early stages, and consumer concerns about discomfort with the Apple Vision Pro after its introduction demonstrate a lot of potential for further VR developments and improvements in the coming years.