The latest technology poised to make an impact in today’s business world is Augmented Reality.
What is Augmented Reality, or AR? One leading computing site describes it like this: “a technology that superimposes computer-generated images on top of real-world views.”
This digital advancement has already proven beneficial in the automotive industry, as well as the military. It is even being used in some places for nurse and midwife training.
In an AR simulation, the user is interacting with the real world, in real-time, with the added advantage of useful information and data superimposed over what they are actually seeing around them.
AR is the natural progression for corporate training, a world in which simulation and gamification training are already becoming staples.
What are the benefits to including augmented reality as a part of a corporate training strategy?
Collaboration. It has been established that collaborating with peers greatly improves comprehension in a learning environment. In an AR scenario, multiple users are all seeing the same thing, at the same time, and in the same space, interacting simultaneously. AR provides a pathway to deeper and more meaningful communication between co-workers. Shared experiences allow peers to give each other meaningful insight.
On-board instruction. The primary use of augmented reality is in the form of mobile apps that can be accessed on smartphones and tablets, as well as other digital display systems that can be worn.
The advantage in this scenario is the user can perform concrete duties they have never done before without having to consult a manual or another co-worker.
The directions for the task pop up on whatever device is being used, superimposed over the actual physical environment. For example, installing new computer hardware can be a hassle that pulls multiple employees away from their own work to give assistance. With the use of an AR equipped device, the worker can point the camera of their device and have the instructions show up over the actual physical space.
Productivity. In the same vein as on-board instruction, productivity is increased with the use of augmented reality. There is no need for a great number of extra employees to be involved in a training program. It is a more self-guided approach to learning the necessary material.
This is especially important for higher-level employees whose time is better spent elsewhere, while still maintaining the benefit of their new hires experiencing a solid, comprehensive training system.
Technological advances continue to improve many areas of life, especially in the workplace.
The augmented reality market is expected to burst onto the scene in big way in 2017 and is projected to be a $90 billion industry by 2020 according to Digi-Capital (2016).
AR is harnessing the power of collaborative learning in a digital reality to boost productivity and create a workforce that is better equipped to be assets to their companies.
