Hardware Advancements
One of the biggest trends in AR/VR development is the release of new hardware. These devices are becoming more advanced and affordable, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Some of the latest developments include:
- The Oculus Quest 2: This wireless headset has a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and easy to set up.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: This smartphone has an integrated AR camera that can be used for augmented reality experiences. It also supports virtual desktops and remote desktop protocols (RDP) for more immersive workspaces.
- The PlayStation 5: This gaming console supports ray tracing, which creates a more realistic lighting effect in virtual environments. It also has backward compatibility with previous generations of PlayStation games.
Software Advancements
Along with new hardware, software advancements are also driving innovation in AR/VR development.
Some of the latest developments include:
- Unity: This game engine is becoming more popular for creating AR and VR experiences. It’s easy to use and supports a wide range of platforms. Unity has also added support for WebXR, which allows users to experience AR and VR in web browsers without the need for specialized hardware.
- Unreal Engine: This game engine is also gaining popularity for creating immersive experiences. It has advanced graphics capabilities and supports real-time ray tracing. Unreal Engine has also added support for WebXR.
- WebXR: This technology allows users to experience AR and VR in web browsers without the need for specialized hardware. It’s still in the early stages of development, but it has the potential to be a game-changer for accessibility and affordability. WebXR is also gaining traction in enterprise applications, such as training and simulation.
Emerging Applications
AR/VR technologies are being used in a variety of industries beyond gaming.
Some of the emerging applications include:
- Education: AR/VR is being used to create more engaging and immersive learning experiences. For example, students can take virtual field trips or explore historical events in 3D.
- Healthcare: VR is being used for therapy and rehabilitation, as well as for medical training and simulation. It can also be used for pain management and relaxation. For example, VR can be used to simulate surgical procedures or to create a virtual environment for patients with PTSD or anxiety disorders.
- Retail: AR/VR is being used to create virtual try-on experiences for clothing and makeup. It’s also being used for product visualization and virtual showrooms. For example, a furniture retailer can use VR to allow customers to see how a piece of furniture would look in their home before buying it.
- Hospitality: AR/VR is being used to create immersive experiences for hotel guests. For example, a hotel can use VR to offer virtual tours of the property or to create an interactive game for guests to play.
- Real estate: AR/VR is being used to create virtual walkthroughs and 3D models of properties for buyers and sellers. These technologies are also being used for architectural visualization and interior design.