REMOTE CONNECTIONS: WHAT WILL AUGMENTED REALITY LOOK LIKE IN 2025?

Augmented reality might well be the most exciting emerging technology on the planet today. The industry surrounding AR and its sci-fi enthused sibling, virtual reality, is forecast to gain a value of over $25 billion by 2025.Entering the public consciousness through gaming apps like Pokemon Go and retail tools like IKEA Place, AR may have had somewhat humble beginnings but developers now have their sights firmly fixed on infiltrating a number of markets surrounding healthcare, entertainment, education and property.But what is augmented reality? And how is it different to virtual reality? While virtual reality submerges a user into a ‘different’ reality with absolutely no resemblance to the space he or she was in before, augmented reality typically embeds a digital layer on top of what the user is visualising in real-life – more like Terminator than Tron.Given that augmented reality has the potential to seamlessly interact with reality, its possible applications are virtually limitless. Rich levels of information can be embedded on top of what the user is witnessing in a way that can greatly enhance their education or safety, while other uses can bring benefits to customer experience in retail outlets and internet shopping.