Extended Reality - Trends And Use Cases

The burgeoning potential of emerging

Immersive experiences are considerably changing the way humans work, play, and collaborate. As technology improves and advances, you have probably witnessed the rise of altered realities, the most well-known being Augmented Reality (real-time use of information in the form of text, graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with real-world objectives) and Virtual Reality (a computer-generated environment with scenes and objectives that appear to be real, making the user feel they are immersed in their surroundings.). The latest buzz is mixed reality – a blend of physical and digital worlds, unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer and environmental interactions.

All of these can be referred to  technologies as  Extended Reality (XR). So, what does XR mean, and how is this technology being used today?

One can think of XR as an umbrella term or catch-all phrase used to describe all types of altered realities that technology offers. Simply put, whether you are getting directions to the nearest restaurant or from a pair of smart eyeglasses or putting on a headset in order to simulate a ski jump, they all represent XR. It represents all real-and-virtual combined environments combined with human-machine interactions.

XR technology modifies the human-machine interface, either by immersing users in VR, augmenting the user’s surroundings through AR, or combining them through (MR). Futuristically any new technology that combines the virtual and physical worlds will also be classified XR.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence and the Metaverse (an immersive and persistent three-dimensional virtual realm, shared with many users, that spans various digital platforms and merges with the physical world, where people can shop, work, play in real time) is also propelling the growth of this fantastic technology.

Use Cases and Applications

Although XR use cases and applications have been humming along, the COVID-19 health pandemic served as the main catalyst for an explosion of XR into everyday living.

The pandemic accelerated the rollout of virtual experiences due to remote work, particularly in industries that never utilized this option. Several XR use applications already have a huge social and commercial impact and relevance.

Vehicle Design & Development

Designing and developing a new product can be a very technical and lengthy process. However, XR can also be valuable here. For example, developers can leverage VR in order to get a three-dimensional view of a product design before it has been created. This allows them to get a better sense of what it will look like and function.

Did you know that many car manufacturers, such as BMW, now use some form of XR in their product design and development? For instance, BMW utilizes AR during the design phase to present new interior concepts and vehicle functions. Utilizing AR is showing improvement in quality as it can provide step-by-step guidance in the kits, assembly and inspection and ensures each step conforms to the set standards. Additionally, AR can reduce design, production and maintenance costs as problems can be solved faster and more efficiently.

Gaming and Entertainment

Did you know that the XR gaming market is on track to reach a whopping $18 billion this year? For many years, game developers and companies have battled to create more memorable, immersive, and engaging experiences.

From the design and development of newer and faster gaming consoles to better chipsets and exceptional graphics, games have certainly come a long way. XR represents a brave new frontier for this landscape and promises to bring gamers into unprecedented experiences.

With XR, gamers can intimately feel and see what their selected scenes would look like in the flesh, whether exploring fantastic futuristic worlds or crossing into another era or place. Additionally, an added bonus is that VR gaming brings a physically active component to gaming.

Similarly, consumers can virtually experience live sporting events and music from the comfort of their intelligent VR headsets.

Retail and e-Commerce

Using XR, customers have a better opportunity to try new products before they purchase them. IKEA customers can virtually furnish their apartment or condo to see how it will look and feel before deciding whether to purchase the items. The home reality shows brought this to the consumer by showing what the remodel can look like before making final plans and wasting money and time.

Trends

Industry Push Towards XR and Metaverse

There is no doubt that last year was a build-up to XR, where many brands, such as Meta, focused on creating an alternative immersive world through a headset. On the other hand, some brands had a restrained and calculated approach to the metaverse.  In 2023 and beyond, you will see more brands—big tech and startups alike—come forward and become a part of the engaging social experience for the metaverse.

With all of these technology based products and options, putting privacy policies into place becomes more critical than ever.

Continuous 5G Tech Advancements

XR technology use is accelerating in both personal and professional settings. And the introduction of highly anticipated 5G technology will promote XR and solve any applicable issues by enabling the efficient and optimum distribution of processing power.

Final Thoughts

XR is transformational and advances the potential of VR, AR, and MR. It merges our virtual and real worlds to create new environments and better visualizations where digital and physical objects co-exist, communicate, and interact.

Whether you are trying on a potential outfit or buying furniture, XR will prove valuable in many industries.

"Coming from a data security perspective, XR data can be daunting," stated Reshma Moorthy. "The 5 point checklist is a good reminder that you must not follow the checklists that are general in nature, but what makes the most sense to your business," she continued. "The one thing that Frontier Technologies has that sets up apart from others, is that we state the concerns that are applicable to your company and never in generalities."