History of Augmented Reality
AR can be traced back to ancient times when people used mirrors and lenses to create illusions. However, the modern AR technology emerged in the mid-20th century with the invention of head-mounted displays (HMDs). HMDs are devices that allow users to view digital information overlaid on the real world. In 1968, Ivan Sutherland created “Skywriting,” an early form of AR using a projector and two mirrors mounted on a helmet.
However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that AR started to gain traction in commercial applications. One of the earliest commercial uses of AR was in the field of architecture, where architects used AR to visualize their designs and make changes in real-time. In 1994, IBM’s “Virtual Reality Room Planner” was launched, which allowed users to visualize and manipulate furniture in a virtual environment.
Another early adopter of AR was the gaming industry. In 1995, Nintendo released “Pokemon Snap,” an AR game that used the Game Boy camera to capture real-world images and overlay digital characters on them. This marked the beginning of AR’s popularity in the gaming industry.
Retail Industry
The retail industry was one of the first to embrace AR technology for commercial use. In 2013, IKEA launched its “Place” app, which allowed users to see how furniture would look in their homes before making a purchase. The app used AR to overlay digital images of IKEA products on the user’s real-world environment, giving them a better idea of how the furniture would fit into their space.
Another retail company that embraced AR is Lowe’s. In 2018, Lowe’s launched its “See in 3D” app, which allowed users to visualize home improvement projects in 3D using AR. The app overlaid digital images of furniture and fixtures on the user’s real-world environment, giving them a better idea of how the products would look and fit into their space.
Fashion Industry
The fashion industry was another early adopter of AR technology for commercial use. In 2014, Louis Vuitton launched its “Louis Vuitton Espace” app, which allowed users to try on virtual clothing in an AR environment. The app used a smartphone camera to capture the user’s image and overlay digital clothing on top of it, giving them a better idea of how the clothing would fit and look on them.
Another fashion company that embraced AR is Sephora. In 2018, Sephora launched its “Virtual Artist” app, which used AR to allow users to try on makeup virtually. The app overlaid digital makeup images on the user’s real-world environment, giving them a better idea of how the products would look on their skin.
Medical Industry
The medical industry was one of the first to embrace AR technology for commercial use. AR has many potential applications in the medical field, such as assisting surgeons during operations and allowing doctors to visualize patient anatomy. In 2016, Google launched its Glass Enterprise Edition, which is a pair of smart glasses that can be used in a variety of fields, including medicine. The glasses use AR to display relevant information, such as patient vitals and surgical instructions, in the user’s field of vision.
Another example of AR being used in the medical industry is the use of AR headsets during surgery. These headsets allow surgeons to visualize the patient’s anatomy in 3D, which can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of complications. In 2018, the company Medtronic launched its Augmented Reality Surgical System, which uses AR to help surgeons during procedures.
FAQs
Q: Which industry first employed augmented reality for commercial use?
A: The retail industry was one of the first to embrace AR technology for commercial use.
Q: What was the first commercial use of AR?
A: One of the earliest commercial uses of AR was in the field of architecture, where architects used AR to visualize their designs and make changes in real-time.
Q: How has AR technology evolved over time?
A: AR technology has evolved from simple HMDs to more advanced systems that can overlay digital images on the real world in real-time.
Q: What are some of the industries that have adopted AR technology for commercial use?
A: The retail, fashion, medical, and gaming industries are among those that have adopted AR technology for commercial use.
Summary
AR is a rapidly growing technology that has many potential applications in various industries. While there is no clear-cut answer to which industry first employed AR for commercial use, it’s clear that the retail industry was one of the first to embrace this technology. As AR continues to evolve, we can expect to see more and more innovative uses of this technology in different industries.