The origin and increase in the use of AR in recent years

5 April, 2024

In recent years, augmented reality (AR) has seen meteoric growth, transforming the way we interact with the digital and physical world. From entertainment apps to productivity tools, AR has found a variety of applications that are redefining our everyday experience.

Origins of augmented reality

While the idea of combining the physical world with digital elements has been around for decades, it was in the 90s when AR began to take shape with pioneering projects such as “Virtual Fixtures” developed by the United States Air Force. As technology advanced, new applications emerged in fields such as medicine, entertainment, and education.

However, it was with the launch of smart mobile devices, particularly smartphones and tablets, that AR began to gain popularity among the general public. Apps like Pokémon GO, which allowed users to hunt virtual creatures in the real world, introduced millions of people to the exciting possibilities of AR.

The rise of augmented reality in recent years

In recent years, AR has experienced exponential growth driven by several factors, which we explain below:

Technological Advances: The development of more powerful hardware, such as high-resolution cameras and depth sensors, has significantly improved the ability of devices to detect and overlay digital elements in the real world, creating more immersive and realistic AR experiences.
Popularity of smartphones: With the massive entry of smartphones in the global market, AR has become a common feature in these devices. This has made AR experiences easier to access for a wide audience, without the need for expensive additional hardware.
Applications in various sectors: AR has infiltrated a variety of sectors, including entertainment, advertising, education, medicine and manufacturing. From games and social media filters to visualization and training tools, AR is proving its versatility and usefulness in multiple areas.
Investment in research and development: Large technology companies, such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook, are investing heavily in the development of AR technologies, which has accelerated innovation and led to the creation of more sophisticated tools and platforms and accessible.

In conclusion, Augmented Reality has gone from being a futuristic technology to an integral part of our daily lives in just a few years. With its ability to combine the physical and the digital in surprising ways, AR promises to continue to be a disruptive force that will transform the way we interact with the world around us.