AR devices are becoming more integrated into our daily lives as it has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the world. Discover in-depth information about AR technology, elements, and devices in our detailed guide!
Gone are the days when AR was popular among gamers and Gen Z TikTok users. Over the past few years, augmented reality (AR) has become a crucial part of the online shopping world. Shoppers can use different types of AR devices to visualize and try products in the virtual environment.
Whether you are a user who wants to learn more about the AR experience or a brand that wants to incorporate AR glasses and headsets or augmented reality apps, this guide is for you. Here we will learn the different types of AR devices and how they can help brands liven up their offerings in 2023.
What is AR Technology and Its Elements?
AR or augmented reality technology allows the superimposition of digital objects in the real world to offer a fully immersive experience to users. The AR devices are designed to enhance users’ perception of their environment and make online shopping more interactive.
In order to offer users an immersive and interactive experience, AR requires a camera to function. The camera on the AR device will capture the real-world environment and send the data into the AR software. This, in turn, will overlay digital content in the real world to help users visualize content.
Some common modern devices with in-built cameras are tablets, smartphones, AR glasses, and headsets. Similarly, some specialized cameras provide advanced sensing and tracking capabilities, including infrared sensors or deep sensing.
Elements of AR Technology
Below we will talk about the three main elements of AR technology.
Real-World Environment: This is the physical space where the complete augmented reality experience will occur. The AR content is overlaid on top of real-world environments that can be anything from an outdoor location to a room.
Virtual Objects: These digital elements are superimposed on the real-world environment to create an augmented reality experience. It can be anything from text to images or 3D models.
AR Device: The third important element of AR technology is a device or platform that helps users to experience AR content. It can be a smartphone, tablet, AR glasses or headsets, or other device with AR capabilities.
These three elements work to create a seamless AR experience for the user, helping them interact with digital content. Many people prefer buying the best AR glasses and headsets to experience the technology in a safe and controlled environment. If you want to try AR without spending on glasses and headsets, consider using AR apps. Applications like SelfStylo help users apply virtual makeup using their smartphones and pick shades depending on their skin tone.
5 Types of AR Devices for Brands
There are several devices that can help users to experience augmented reality. Some of the most popular among them include the following:
Mobile AR
Mobile AR is one of the most common types where users use their smartphones or tablets to interact with virtual objects. This technology provides an immersive AR experience using a camera, sensors, and computer vision.
The primary aim of mobile AR technology is to display virtual objects in a real-life environment. Some popular examples include AR games like Pokemon Go, Google’s AR search, beauty AR filters, etc.
Most modern smartphones and tablets feature built-in cameras, processors, and sensors supporting AR experiences. While some AR applications need to be downloaded from the app store, others can be accessed via web browsers.
AR Glasses
AR glasses are one of the popular wearable AR devices, all thanks to their stylish and comfortable nature. According to a report by GlobeNewswire, the global smart augmented reality (AR) glasses market is expected to reach 97.7 million units by 2030. The main aim of AR glasses is to blend analog and digital reality, assist wearers in daily life, or project lifelike holograms into the environment.
Smart Glasses
The glasses built on augmented reality technology are conventional glasses with lightweight designs. The primary goal of smart glasses is to superimpose useful information in the field of view without considering the physical environment or spatial tracking.
In simple words, smart glasses are a type of wearables that merge the functionalities of a smartphone with the convenience of glasses. Generally, these glasses have a transparent display to overlay the digital content onto the real world. Additionally, they have built-in voice assistants and gesture controls that take user experience to the next level.
AR Projectors
AR projectors are more futuristic than slim augmented reality glasses. These devices project digital content onto real-world surfaces, like tablets or walls. They have built-in sensors like Mobile AR to help users track the movement and adjust projection accordingly.
One important thing to note is that the device required for an AR projector will depend solely on the type of AR experience. For instance, if you are looking for a simple experience, a smartphone or tablet might suffice. Alternatively, you will need dedicated AR headsets or glasses for an advanced experience.
AR Headsets
Unlike AR glasses that are light in weight, augmented reality headsets are bulky and have basic AR features like 3D environment mapping and spatial tracking. The two most popular AR head-mounted displays are Magic Leap and Microsoft Hololens. These headsets have high prices and experimental technology, due to which they are less preferred by customers.
Note: Augmented reality allows users to see and interact with the virtual world. It is more accessible than virtual reality as it can be experienced using AR devices that many people already own, like tablets or smartphones.
Integrate AR Technology to Enhance Business in 2023
Augmented reality has made significant strides in the past few years, and it has the potential to help businesses stand ahead of the crowd. For instance, a fashion brand can adopt AR tech into its business to improve customer journeys, reduce RTO, and generate better revenue.
SelfStylo is one of the feature-rich AR tools for makeup and cosmetic brands. Customers can use the SelfStylo virtual try-on tool to discover the brand’s entire product range using AR devices like smartphones or tablets in the virtual world. Schedule a free demo with SelfStylo experts today to learn how the AR tool helps your brand!
