The Future Looks Sunny for AR Cloud

Cloud computing has redefined how data is stored and accessed. The AR cloud, basically a virtual 3-D map that anchors data to places and objects, is redefining immersive experiences. 

As of now, most AR experiences are relatively isolated—they exist independently of each other. But developers are working on scalable, persistent solutions that will help make enterprise adoption easier and more affordable. 

The Future of AR Cloud

Gartner predicts that, by 2025, 15% of organizations with more than $1 billion in revenue will use AR cloud to monetize the physical world through new interactions and business models. 

Imagine a world where a repair technician can see, in real time, a diagram and diagnostics of the equipment being worked on—virtually “floating” right alongside the machine, all instantly connected in real-time to co-workers and the entire lifecycle history for that machine with edge computing. With wearable tech, advanced data, and AR cloud, it’s not only possible, it’s probable.

Image from ServiceMax

The infrastructure required to make AR cloud possible and sustainable—like 5G, edge AI, and IoT—relies on industries that are still developing. As connectivity and processing power continue to expand, AR cloud will be able to do the same, at which point the possible AR/VR/XR applications become nearly endless.

The Present of AR Cloud

While truly reaching AR cloud status will require connectivity and an ecosystem of providers, there are XR applications in enterprise that show the potential of AR cloud tech right now.

Thanks to COVID (we didn’t think we’d be saying thanks to a global pandemic), adoption of remote service capabilities, including AR/VR/XR, has skyrocketed in enterprises with an immediate need for remote collaboration, socially distanced field operations, and virtual design and engineering. 

Remote and virtual training—from healthcare applications to industrial hazardous training scenarios—also picked up in light of COVID restrictions. But the safety and efficiency benefits will last long after the global pandemic is over...whatever “over” looks like. 

And while much of the current AR/VR/XR tech is centered on phones and tablets, wearable developers are working on and delivering hardware that frees up operators’ hands in the field with voice commands. 

Deciding to Invest in AR Cloud

AR cloud technology is in its infancy. Early adopters are seeing strategic advantages and a competitive edge to plan and invest today. 

Much like toddlers, AR cloud tech has a long way to go to maturity. The lack of scalable, off-the-shelf solutions makes XR a big investment for those that want to scale it for their enterprises. As the AR cloud matures and more fast-moving options come to market, adoption will continue to spread and costs will go down. Until then, early adopters are the ones with their heads in the clouds, but their feet on the ground, already running.