The Current State of Augmented Reality in 2018

Augmented Reality allows us to mix reality with fiction by superimposing virtual objects in the real world around us, in images view on a mobile device or through special glasses.

Although the word “augmented reality” (AR) was created in 1990, the technology is only beginning to take shape. The huge success of Pokémon Go in 2016 and the intuitive ad formats, filters and effects popularized by Snapchat have stimulated the interests of businesses and consumers alike.

AR, together with Artificial Intelligence (or AI), are technologies that are destined to redefine the way we conduct business in a few years from now. The involvement of tech giants (like Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon), a large number of mobile phones supporting augmented reality and the intensive development on new AR devices to come – all these indications point to the fact that the technology is soon to reach mass business adaptation phase, which means huge commercial benefits.

CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, provides an apt summary, by saying: “I regard it as a big idea like the smartphone. I think AR is that big, it’s huge.”

Experts are already forecasting that the AR market may be worth as much as $100 billion by 2021. However, it is yet to be seen if the technology is on the cusp of greatness or waiting to fade away.

If you want to learn more about the current state of augmented reality, this infographic by Make a Video Hub did a good roundup of what’s buzzing in the industry in 2018 and what the future of AR is shaping up to look like. Check it out!