The world of augmented display technology is growing at a phenomenal rate. In fact, augmented reality solutions, from smart glasses to headsets, have exploded in popularity in recent years. As the market accelerates towards a projected value of $432.35 billion by 2031, various vendors previously focused in virtual reality tech are switching their attention to augmented displays.
But as the market for AR displays grows, and new vendors continue to experiment with different wearable devices (from glasses to smart lenses), and external solutions like meeting room displays with AR projectors, choosing the right technology is becoming more complex.
If you’re ready to take advantage of the benefits of AR displays for enhanced productivity, collaboration, and customer experiences, here’s how you can compare your options this year.
Step 1: Identify Augmented Display Use Cases
The first step in investing in any immersive technology is determining how you’re going to use it. Augmented reality displays can serve a huge number of use cases. You may be looking for smart glasses and wearables that help field engineers access crucial product information and collaborate with back-office employees on the move.
Alternatively, you may be looking for augmented reality “laptops” combined with smart glasses that enhance employee productivity with infinite screens and spatial computing. You could even be looking for meeting room screens that use projectors and cameras to create an AR experience.
Or perhaps you want to give customers a new way to try on products and customize their shopping experience with augmented reality mirrors. An augmented display could even offer you an excellent way to improve training and educational experiences for team members or students. Identify what you want to accomplish first, and you’ll know where to begin searching for solutions.
Step 2: Explore the Range of AR Display Options
Once you’ve identified your use cases, you should have a good idea of the augmented display technology you should invest in. Today, augmented displays aren’t limited to smartphones with access to camera systems and AR apps.
However, these solutions can still be a good option for some businesses. Simple displays, like smartphones and tablets, can offer an affordable way to tap into the benefits of augmented reality. They’re also extremely accessible, as many employees will already have a smartphone that’s capable of supporting augmented reality experiences.
However, depending on your requirements, you might decide to go a step further and look at large-scale augmented reality displays (like mirrors or meeting room systems). Or you may choose to focus on augmented reality glasses. In some cases, you may even decide to look for solutions like the Apple Vision Pro, or Meta Quest 3, which offer both augmented and virtual reality options.
Step 3: Identify Essential Augmented Display Requirements
Regardless of the type of augmented display you choose to invest in, you will need to consider specific requirements. First, the most obvious thing to consider is the kind of operating system, apps, and software the device you choose needs to be compatible with.
If you’re investing in smart glasses to help support product development and design, then it makes sense to choose a solution compatible with CAD software. If you’re using smart glasses to empower and support field workers, they must be compatible with remote assist software. Beyond considering software needs, make sure you think about:
- Tracking capabilities: Does the display need to feature cameras and sensors that can track the user’s position, orientation, and movement in the real world?
- Connectivity: Can the display easily connect to other devices, such as smartphones and laptops? Does it need a wired connection, or does it support wireless solutions?
- Artificial intelligence: Should the display feature built-in AI software for computer vision, language recognition, and spatial mapping?
- Power options: Does the solution need to be plugged into a power source at all times, or can it be used wirelessly, thanks to an integrated battery?
Step 4: Prioritize User Experience
It almost goes without saying, but any augmented display you invest in should be easy to set up, customize, and use. Smart displays with augmented reality capabilities for the retail sector should make it easy for customers to view themselves wearing different products or experiment with features and customization options.
Smart glasses should connect easily to crucial applications and offer a smooth rendering experience that makes digital content look fantastic in any environment. Most companies creating augmented display technologies have proprietary apps and software to configure your system quickly to your specific needs.
However, there are cases where you may need to think about additional factors that affect user experience. For instance, if you’re purchasing smart glasses, they need to be comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, and may need to accommodate prescription lenses.
Step 5: Analyze Vendor Options
Finally, it’s time to start exploring potential vendors. Here, the key is to find vendors that not only offer the type of augmented display you need (with all the right features), but an excellent customer experience. Think about how easy the company makes it for you to purchase your hardware, configure it to your needs, and onboard new users.
Look at their commitment to creating user-friendly experiences and enhancing the performance of their system with regular software and firmware updates. Another key point to think about is security. How much control does the vendor give you over the software that powers your display and the data it collects and stores?
Have they embedded encryption and authentication solutions into the hardware’s firmware? How much information do the cameras and tracking systems installed in an augmented display capture? Considering these factors carefully will help you choose a reliable vendor who can deliver an excellent experience, and help protect your brand’s reputation.
Choosing Your Augmented Display Technology
Augmented display technology is quickly becoming a valuable tool in the modern business landscape. Whether you’re looking for ways to improve customer experiences, collaboration, or training experiences, the right AR displays can deliver incredible benefits.
As vendors continue to innovate, with more advanced smart glasses, and even AR contact lenses, the opportunities for businesses will continue to grow. Use the step-by-step guide above to consider your options carefully, and take the next step into the world of immersive technology.
