Home IT Poll: Do You Think Augmented Reality Could Be Useful in Your Workplace?

IT Poll: Do You Think Augmented Reality Could Be Useful in Your Workplace?

In a tweet today Forrester analyst James Kobielus asked when business intelligence vendors will leverage augmented reality to overlay 3D analytics. Kobielus was responding to an article from Smarter Technology called “Augmented Reality: From Zero to Billions in No Time,” which looks at the emerging AR market, how the technology is being used and how it could be used in future. The article notes some business-to-business uses, such as equipment vendors embedding specifications directly into products, but is mostly focused on consumer tech.

We’ve looked at some proof-of-concept materials for enterprise AR from SAP before, and this video from Blogtronix and TAT demonstrate some ideas about how AR could be used in business as well. I’ve long thought that AR technology will be best applied not to consumers but to specific work-related tasks. I think proponents have overestimated the value of visual overlays for consumer experiences, especially when overlays add little to the experience of using a location-aware application on a mobile phone. However, there are many situations where having information overlays could be quite valuable.

One of the first things that comes to mind is carpentry and other skilled trades. What sorts of spatial data, such as measurements, could be useful here? What about real estate appraisers, interior decorators, merchandisers or insurance investigators?

Do you think there are instances where AR would be useful in your workplace?

Photo by Shereen M

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.