How is Augmented Reality (AR) different to Virtual Reality (VR)?
Beyond a simple smartphone experience, Augmented Reality requires users to have a wearable viewing device. Augmented Reality head mounted displays need powerful computing power to run them, which has meant that users are confined to one location when using them.
5G technology will allow storage, power consumption and processing power for wearable devices to be pushed to the cloud which will process data in a time-sensitive way.
The technology required for wearable 5G Augmented Reality devices is split into two groups: the first group could be considered full 3D Augmented Reality devices, which can actually integrate and overlay 3D graphics with what you’re seeing in the real world around you. Examples of these are Microsoft’s HoloLens and the sleek and futuristic MagicLeap. Apple are also rumoured to be bringing out some Augmented Reality glasses in 2023.ent.
Augmented Reality (AR) imposes a digital overlay onto the user’s real world environment.
VR is a fully enclosed digital environment which replaces the user’s real world environment
The second group of wearable Augmented Reality devices superimpose 2D text and graphics over a scene, but don’t integrate them fully with what you are seeing. Glasses like Google Glass or Epson Moverio come into this category. They’ll allow you to see things like map directions or instructions overlaid in your real environment.
Within the next ten years, designers believe we’ll progress to products as subtle as sunglasses and even contact lens devices. Combine these with tiny earpieces, and the user could almost forget they’re wearing them.
The third way of interacting with Augmented Reality is probably how most people will first experience it; via our smartphone or tablet. In fact many will already have encountered this with the Pokémon Go game which uses location tracking and mapping technology to allow players to catch and train Pokémon characters in real locations. Pokémon Go uses relatively little data however; applications for industry will use a lot more.
Growth in Augmented Reality is likely to be through the use of headsets, but there are some major challenges to be overcome: lack of mobility and poor user experience.
The role of 5G in Augmented Reality
AR systems are often showcased on broadband connections, as only they can deliver the speeds needed for many AR applications. 5G will usher in a network for AR to operate on, offering faster, more uniform data rates and the low latency required for real-time video interactions, all at a lower cost.
5G promises the two main things that Augmented Reality needs:
Ultra Fast Speed: downloads of around 10 GigaBytes per second (Gbps). This compares to a theoretical high of 1 Gbps available now on the latest 4G LTE-A networks.
The transfer of high resolution data in real time that Augmented Reality needs requires broadband-like speeds on a mobile network.
Ultra Low Latency: latency is the time it takes for data from your device to be uploaded and reach its target. On 4G networks, the average latency is 50 milliseconds (ms), whereas with 5G technology we should see that drop to under 10ms.
Use Cases for Augmented Reality
Enhanced Medical Mixed Reality (EMMR) by Silver Chain
EMMR aims to deliver virtual hospital care for people in their own homes using Microsoft HoloLens to experience real-time interaction with health care professionals operating remotely.
Using the EMMR solution, nurses are able to have greater access to client data whilst keeping their hands free when they’re reading it. They are able to consult with the doctor and have the doctor see what the nurses see in the patient’s home, at the same time as giving the nurse advice on how to treat the patient. This significantly increases the capacity of the nurse to practice, and gives doctors a very efficient way of being in many places at once.
Nissan: Invisible-to-Visible (I2V)
By merging real and virtual worlds, Invisible-to-Visible helps drivers to see what’s round a corner, or hidden behind a building. Information is combined from sensors inside and outside the car with data from the cloud. Nissan will be able to provide a virtualisation of the data gathered to aid driving, or to demonstrate that the car knows what it is doing, giving you confidence when the car is driving autonomously, all delivered to you via a headset to project data displays in your field of view.
Leap Motion – Augmented Reality computer menu
Leap Motion’s prototype ‘Project Northstar’ headset is designed to enable virtual ‘menus’ that float around the user in augmented space. The menus appear transluscent, allowing the user a better view of the world, at the same time as being able to utilise the functionality and information that they provide. This video was produced by Leap Motion and shot through the Project Northstar headset.
Scope AR and Caterpillar CAT LIVESHARE for real-time remote support, training and equipment maintenance
Using CAT LIVESHARE, remote expert assistance is provided for a technician in the field. The technician connects with an expert through a smartphone and smart glasses, and shares the problem. The expert is able to see the issue through the eyes of the technician and help them solve it. This is similar to FaceTime so far, but the remote expert also has the ability to annotate information on the screen, and that annotation can be locked to the real world, so it’s clear where the technician needs to implement fixes.
Scope AR and Caterpillar CAT LIVESHARE for real-time remote support, training and equipment maintenance
Using CAT LIVESHARE, remote expert assistance is provided for a technician in the field. The technician connects with an expert through a smartphone and smart glasses, and shares the problem. The expert is able to see the issue through the eyes of the technician and help them solve it. This is similar to FaceTime so far, but the remote expert also has the ability to annotate information on the screen, and that annotation can be locked to the real world, so it’s clear where the technician needs to implement fixes.
Highly efficient vision picking at Samsung with xPick | Ubimax
Ubimax supplied their smart glasses solution to Samsung. The solution guides the picker to the right aisle, shelf and bin so the right item can be chosen a lot quicker. This has demonstrated over 20% productivity gains and a reduced number of errors. Similar Ubimax systems are being used by DHL.
Efficient Assembly Lines for aerospace and automotive manufacturing: Boeing and Upskill Software
At Boeing, Upskill software in Google glasses shows workers step by step visual instructions on how to wire components of Boeing airplanes, keeping the technicians hands free to perform the task. This has proven to lead to 25% faster production times, error reduction and higher safety levels.
The coming 5G networks will enable Augmented Reality to have a far wider reach, with wide-ranging GigaByte connection speeds, very low latency and the unrestricted capacity which current 4G networks don’t have. This promises a wider mainstream acceptance of Augmented Reality throughout industry, as well as on our phones, and likely on a new range of personal devices in the form of glasses and headsets.