Although AR/VR technologies are commonly associated with the entertainment industry, various industries now use AR and VR as their potential extends far beyond that realm.
These innovative technologies have the capacity to revolutionize numerous fields, becoming key reality applications across industries, ranging from healthcare and education to the automotive industry and aerospace.
In this article, we will explore the top industries embracing AR and VR as extended reality solutions, uncovering how these technologies drive innovation, enhance experiences, and shape the future.
Automotive industry
AR/VR technologies have brought significant advantages, with many industries using VR and AR in similar ways to the automotive industry, benefiting both workers and clients alike. These technologies can be utilized in various ways, including:
- Creating a design before making a physical prototype
- Testing cars to get an idea of what the customer experience would be
- Getting a safe test drive
- Seeing a vehicle from the inside and even sitting inside it
- Launching successful marketing campaigns
These are some of the go-to apps in this industry:
- Volkswagen MARTA (Mobile Augmented Reality Technical Assistance)
- Ford VR Drive
- Volvo Reality
Healthcare
Healthcare has become one of the areas that has benefited most from AR/VR technologies. The main applications include:
- Virtual reality therapy
- Treatment of psychological traumas
- Treatment of phobias where AR/VR is used as a means of exposure therapy
- Rehabilitation and wound care (ex.: for burn victims)
- Treatment of phantom limb pain where AR/VR is replacing mirror therapy
- Training medical students and interns, practicing and creating plans before surgeries
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- MindMaze MindMotion Pro
- Surgical Theater Precision VR
- Osso VR
Retail
AR/VR technologies are significantly changing the way customers interact with the world. Today, both virtual reality and augmented reality in retail can enhance the customers’ experience by allowing them to:
- Virtually try on clothes and shoes by visiting virtual fitting rooms or looking in the mirror with incorporated AR/VR technologies
- Experience any products or services in the privacy of their own homes via AR mobile app features and virtual try-ons, using AR/VR mobile apps that can be seen as virtual reality stores.
- Use the products with implemented AR/VR technologies that unlock after a customer takes a required action (e.g., allowing a webcam to read the embedded code)
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- IKEA Place
- Sephora Virtual Artist
- Warby Parker Virtual Try-On
Tourism
In tourism, AR and VR are revolutionizing the way people discover, plan, and experience destinations, offering new possibilities and enhancing the overall travel experience.
AR technology allows travelers to enhance their exploration of historical sites and landmarks with immersive AR experiences. By overlaying digital information onto their real-world view, tourists can access interactive experiences, historical facts, and cultural insights as they navigate different attractions.
Through VR headsets, users can immerse themselves in virtual environments and explore iconic landmarks, creating a sense of presence and connection with different places.
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- Google Earth VR
- Visit Dubai VR
- National Geographic Explore VR
Real estate
With the implementation of AR/VR technologies in the field of real estate, both potential clients and real estate agents can:
- Look around the rooms in a virtual space without leaving their home or office
- Get an idea about the property and surrounding infrastructure
- See how furniture will fit with the interior
- Plan the layout of the apartments
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- Zillow 3D Home
- Magicplan
- IKEA Place (for visualizing furniture in real estate)
Architecture
AR and VR have become indispensable tools in the architecture industry, enabling architects, designers, and clients to visualize and experience architectural designs before construction begins.
AR overlays can be used to showcase how a proposed building or structure will integrate with its surroundings or display interior design concepts.
VR allows stakeholders to immerse themselves through mixed reality applications and experience architectural designs at scale. This facilitates better communication and collaboration among project teams and clients, reducing errors and ensuring the desired outcomes.
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- SketchUp Viewer
- InsiteVR
- IrisVR Prospect
Gaming and gambling
AR and VR have had a significant impact on the gaming and gambling industries, revolutionizing the way people interact with digital entertainment.
VR headsets provide immersive gaming experiences, shaping the world of virtual reality for gamers and transporting them into virtual worlds where they can interact with characters and environments in a more realistic way.
AR has also entered the gaming arena, with mobile games incorporating AR overlays into the real-world environment, creating mixed reality experiences.
VR in gambling is used to bring the atmosphere of traditional casinos online.
Popular apps:
- Oculus Rift
- HTC Vive
- Pokémon GO (AR game)
Education and E-learning
AR and VR are changing education by offering engaging learning experiences.
AR adds to what is already in a traditional textbook with digital content (for example, 3D models or animations) to both enhance the learning experience and provide an engaging and less informative learning experience.
Virtual simulations allow students to explore complex subjects, such as science or history, in a hands-on and interactive manner.
VR takes e-learning to the next level by offering virtual classrooms, virtual field trips, and collaborative learning environments.
Students can explore virtual worlds, conduct virtual experiments, and interact with virtual classmates and teachers, regardless of their physical location.
Popular apps:
- Nearpod VR
- Google Expeditions
- Merge Cube
Entertainment
The entertainment industry has embraced AR and VR as powerful tools for creating immersive and captivating experiences.
AR is utilized in live events, such as concerts or sports matches, to enhance the audience’s perception by overlaying digital effects or information onto the real-world environment.
VR enables users to experience immersive virtual reality games supported by VR applications, along with movies and other interactive experiences. Virtual reality theme parks and arcades have emerged, offering visitors a wide range of VR entertainment options.
VR is also being utilized in the production of movies and television shows, providing filmmakers with new storytelling techniques and engaging viewers in unprecedented ways.
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- Oculus Venues
- Within VR
- MelodyVR
Marketing
For a good reason, one of the most fast-growing areas where AR/VR technologies are flourishing is marketing.
Today, there is no better way to generate interest, excitement, and lasting brand recognition than promoting it with the latest technologies, as AR provides brands with new tools. Augmented, mixed, or virtual reality in marketing is used to:
- Attract the public’s attention to any product by providing potential customers with the ability to see its virtual prototype
- Highlight the best features of products by giving potential customers the closest to the real-life experience of using them
- Provide brand awareness by using the latest technologies, such as AR/VR, which help attract potential customers
- Straight-up sell ads and many more
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- Snapchat AR lenses
- Blippar
- Augment
Journalism and publishing
AR and VR are reshaping journalism and digital publishing by enabling immersive storytelling and interactive content experiences.
AR can enhance news articles by providing additional context or visual elements.
VR has the potential to revolutionize the way news is consumed, allowing users to navigate news stories in a virtual environment and explore different angles and sources of information.
Ultimately, both technologies offer new avenues for journalists and publishers to engage their audiences and deliver impactful storytelling experiences.
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- The New York Times VR
- BBC Earth: Life in VR
- The Guardian VR
Sports, fitness, and wellbeing
AR and VR are transforming the sports, fitness, and wellbeing industries by providing innovative training and coaching experiences.
AR can provide real-time performance data to athletes during training or competitions, helping them improve their technique and optimize their performance.
VR is utilized for immersive fitness experiences, offering virtual workouts and interactive training programs.
On top of that, VR users can participate in virtual group classes, explore virtual environments, and track their progress.
Finally, VR has potential applications in rehabilitation and physical therapy by providing engaging and motivating exercises for patients.
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- STRIVR (used by NFL and NBA teams for virtual training)
- Supernatural VR fitness
- FitXR (formerly BoxVR)
Art and design
AR and VR technologies have opened up new possibilities for artists and designers to create exciting and interactive experiences.
AR can bring static art pieces to life by overlaying digital animations or additional information, offering viewers a new level of engagement and interactivity.
VR enables art fans to step into virtual art galleries and museums, providing a unique way to experience and appreciate art.
Artists, in turn, can create virtual installations or explore new mediums in virtual reality, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms.
VR also offers designers the ability to visualize and prototype products in a virtual environment, streamlining the design process.
Some of the most popular apps in this industry include:
- Tilt Brush
- Quill
- Gravity Sketch
Final Thoughts on VR and AR Across Industries
Integrating virtual and augmented reality solutions that companies like SCAND provide into your business is a forward-thinking strategy that can help your company stay relevant, captivating, and trustworthy in the eyes of the public.
To embark on this transformative journey, you can rely on the expertise and extensive track record of SCAND, a company with a wealth of experience in developing AR/VR applications for both iOS and Android platforms.
Our AR/VR app development expertise in mobile AR and immersive AR experiences includes creating AR/VR solutions for educational, real estate, entertainment, and other sectors. Feel free to contact us with any ideas or questions!
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