Sushil Motwani, Founder of Ayetexcel Pvt. Ltd explores the Boundless Potential of AR and VR in Revolutionizing Our Daily Lives
In an era where technology blurs the lines between the tangible and the virtual, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) stand as pillars of a new digital renaissance. These technologies are not just reshaping consumer tech; they’re rewriting the rules of engagement across industries. From the gaming alleys to the educational corridors and into the retail landscapes, AR and VR are crafting experiences that are profoundly immersive and infinitely customizable. At the forefront of this revolution is Mr. Sushil Motwani, Founder of Ayetexcel Pvt. Ltd., who asserts that AR and VR have radically changed the way we experience the world.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., once stated memorably, “I do think that a significant portion of the population of developed countries, and eventually all countries, will have AR experiences every day, almost like eating three meals a day. It will become that much a part of you.” The transformative potential of Virtual Reality (VR), as well as Augmented Reality (AR), is indeed being leveraged across the world by many industries and impacting our lives in profound ways.
Our relationship with technology
In simple terms, AR coalesces digital information with the real world while VR creates immersive virtual environments. Needless to say, both technologies are redefining the way we experience reality. Even the least tech-savvy amongst us now communicate with AR chatbots while shopping online or booking a medical appointment. AR-aided filters on Instagram Snapchat and Facebook help us to effortlessly enhance our photos and videos with animated effects and virtual overlays.AR chatbots however may soon be rendered obsolete by the emergence of AI Avatars which will authentically mirror human interactions and conversations. According to a 2023 study by Emergen Research, the global market for intelligent AI avatars is slated to reach a volume of $561.16 billion by 2032. AI and virtual avatars are also expected to become normative in the industrial landscape by 2025.
Multi-pronged uses of AR and VR
VR intervention is now needed to create cutting-edge aviation and surgery training modules as well. VR is also being used widely in architecture to create 3D models. Consumers too can rely on AR apps to visualize various furniture options in their homes, before buying what suits their budget and decor. AR has also entered classrooms to make learning more interactive than ever before. As far as marketing and retail go, a recent report by PYMNTS (a company offering news and analysis of retail, fintech and the digital economy) Intelligence found that a large number of consumers are now interested in shopping experiences that incorporate AR and VR with over 32% respondents stating that they would be interested in using VR technology to buy retail products from their home/office.
How big players are leveraging technology
Cosmetic company L’Oréal offers virtual makeup and hair color try-ons as well as AR shopping while many other global brands are jumping onto the VR bandwagon including hospitality chain Marriott International. Marriott is reportedly providing 360-degree, 3D visualisation of custom-designed venues for social and corporate events with the help of VR-powered headsets. As early as in 2016, McDonald’s Sweden released Happy Meal boxes that transformed into VR headsets. Companies around the world are using AR and VR to create interactive marketing campaigns, provide easy navigation to virtual stores, facilitate seamless and responsive customer service and engage consumers in ways that seemed inconceivable a few years ago.
Immersive gaming and beyond
The impact of AR and VR on the world of gaming is far-reaching and revolutionary with devices ranging from headsets to glasses blurring the line between the real and the virtual. They are turning gaming into a multi-dimensional experience. Be it location-based AR games or games driven by sports or simulated adventures, today gamers are transported to realms that match and sometimes transcend the detailing and immersive lure of the real world with their 360-degree sound and dynamic imagery.
A palpable shift in entertainment
It is also impossible to imagine entertainment and cinema without the inputs that only technology can provide. Filmmaking is now going beyond the traditional formats of 2D and 3D movies and VR may soon become the only way to experience the magic of cinema in a truly interactive way with the help of a headset. Filmmakers are also extensively using AR to overlay sets and physical locations with more dimension, depth and detailing. VR also serves as a useful tool to create virtual storyboards.
Technology however never really reaches a point where it cannot evolve further and so a lot more needs to be done to resolve issues pertaining to affordability and ease of use when it comes to VR devices.
AR and VR hardware costs are also high and it remains to be seen if, in the near future, a wider audience will be able to access AR and VR technologies and integrate them into everyday life seamlessly in the way Tim Cook envisaged. As we stand on the brink of a new technological epoch, the potential of AR and VR to transform our lives and industries is undeniable. Mr. Sushil Motwani’s insights underscore the significance of these technologies in ushering in a future where our interactions with the world are enriched and expanded in ways we are only beginning to imagine. With innovators like Motwani at the helm, the journey of AR and VR from novelty to necessity seems not just inevitable but imminent.
