Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just changing people’s lives at a phenomenal speed but also enhancing different technologies. Incorporating AI components, such as ontology and deep learning, into AR/VR technologies will significantly impact people and industries. This article sheds light on how this tech combination can change the world for the better.
AI impact on AR
Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital information onto real-world objects or locations without distracting users. From navigation to manufacturing applications, it has several real-world applications. It traditionally uses Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms to track and map different environments.
AI components, like deep learning, can provide more advanced functionality and enhance its usability further. For instance, AI algorithms can be applied to AR to improve user interactions with their physical environment. AI can collect detailed data to complement AR sensors, such as GPS and gyroscopes.
The AI-AR combination can also enhance mobile experiences through engaging and interactive apps. AI can also improve smartphone image tracking, speech recognition, and object detection. AI technology can help developers build more compelling use cases for augmented reality. Some AI applications in AR include:
Digitization of real objects
There are several apps today that use the power of AI and AR to digitize real objects. For instance, the ClipDrop app can scan real objects to digitize them.
For converting 2D into 3D
E-commerce brands are incorporating apps that can convert 2D into 3D, allowing customers to view products in 3D and brands to increase online sales and consumer engagement. An excellent example of such an application is the Threedy app.
For providing digital concierge services
The combined power of AI and AR can be used to provide digital concierge services to visitors of retail outlets and commercial buildings. Using real-time data and embedded AI, digitized versions of buildings can be created to allow people and machines to operate smoothly.
Enhancing healthcare wearables
Innovators are working on AI-AR-powered headsets in which AI algorithms will automatically correct vision defects for patients wearing AR headsets.
Some other possibilities AI and AR combination opens up include:
Speech recognition – The speech recognition feature can be taken a step further by combining the two technologies. When you say the name of an object, AI detects it, and AR presents it in front of you.
Human pose estimation – The AI and AR combo can identify and classify joints in the human body to describe a person’s pose. This forms the basis of several practical applications, such as – AI-powered personal trainers, the creation of computer-generated graphics for special effects, out-of-the-world sceneries, mysterious creatures, and a lot more for athletes’ training, infant motion analysis, etc.
Object Detection – The combination of the two revolutionary technologies can be used for automatically generating and detecting the location and size of objects within an image or video.
Physical Environment Mapping
Like computer-aided designing models, companies gather data using AI then use AR to map large areas and enhance them with relevant data.
For example, a Danish construction site uses AR solutions to view full BIM models on-site in real-time. Using this model, they can recognize and avoid inaccuracies in the early stages of construction.
Converting texts into objects – Artificial Intelligence can sense, read, and convert text into an image, while AR technology can translate text into the 3D world.
AI impact on VR
Like AR, AI can enhance the effectiveness and usability of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.
The next level in developing VR solutions is to harness the potential of AI to the fullest. AI’s keen insight and perception can be combined with VR’s ability to create simulated environments to build some exciting applications.
Below are some of the most gripping examples of the combination of AI with VR.
Dynamic travel and tourism
By combining AI with VR, users will be able to experience potential trips in an even more dynamic way. For example, they can tour locations they’re interested in using VR, and AI can help them make decisions about their trips.
Immersive shopping
VR is already being used by the retail industry to provide better shopping experiences. The combination of AI and VR can take it a notch further. Using VR, customers can try out a product, and then they can take the help of an AI-powered virtual assistant to get answers to their queries, get recommendations, and even complete the purchase.
Immersive gaming experience
Using VR, users can immerse themselves into simulated environments to feel like they’re actually in the game. AI can make this experience even better by making background characters more intelligent, upping the entertainment quotient of the gamers.
VR Chatbots
We are all aware of AI chatbots that assist us with our queries while shopping and exploring web pages. These chatbots or virtual assistants are constantly evolving. The next avenue is including VR capabilities. VR-powered chatbots will come in the form of avatars that will act and talk just like humans, providing the experience of a more realistic interaction.
AR, VR, and AI – the power trio
AR, VR, and AI can be brought together to create exciting applications that can change several fields, such as training, education, social media, mapping, visualization, etc. Below we have discussed some examples.
Education and Simulation Training for high-risk jobs
With the combined power of these three advanced technologies, the next generation of professionals in high-risk jobs such as firefighters, factory workers, oil and gas industry workers, pilots, doctors, etc., can be trained. These professionals can go through countless virtual scenarios without endangering their lives.
Virtual Patients
In medical training, AR-VR and AI combinations can be used to develop virtual patients that can be used for training medical students and trainees. Trainees can easily generalize their knowledge to real-world situations and polish their specific skills.
Advanced Visualization
AI-based imaging algorithms can provide automatic visualization of target parts of structures to improve the efficiency of XR. For example, surgeons can benefit from 3D visualization of the complex anatomy of different systems.
Wrap Up
AR and VR technologies present unprecedented opportunities on their own. Bringing them in unison with AI can make experiences even more engaging and interactive.
