Augmented reality: the Top trends of 2024 (and previews of 2025 and 2026)

How Augmented Reality (AR) Systems improve productivity and user experience

Augmented reality (AR) is radically changing numerous industries through its ability to combine virtual elements with the real world, improving both productivity and user experience. According to a study of more than 4226 companies, trends emerging during 2024 are highlighting the assimilation of AR in almost every manufacturing and industrial sector; all through applications ranging from immersive games to simplifying educational concepts.

Key trends in AR in 2024

Major trends identified by the study include:

1. AR Games: Augmented reality-based games offer highly immersive experiences that engage players in real-world interactive challenges.
2. Mobile AR Tools: The growing power of mobile devices enables refinement of AR applications, making them more realistic and accessible.
3. Wearables: Wearable devices such as smart glasses are improving the usability of AR applications, providing hands-free experiences that are particularly useful in the industrial sector.
4. 3D design and prototyping: AR facilitates the visualization of 3D models in real-world contexts, enabling more efficient prototyping and better decisions during development phases.
5. Immersive navigation: AR-based navigation systems enhance the travel experience by offering real-time directions superimposed on the real environment.
6. Computer vision: The integration of computer vision enables AR systems to recognize objects and surfaces, enhancing the interaction between the virtual and real worlds.
7. 5G connectivity: The speed and low latency of 5G allow AR applications to respond in real time, greatly refining the user experience.
8. Virtual Trials: Used primarily in e-commerce, virtual trials allow consumers to test products such as clothing and accessories before purchase.
9. Spatial audio: Spatial audio adds an extra layer of realism to AR experiences by synchronizing sounds with the position of virtual objects.
10. Depth sensors and LiDAR*: These sensors provide precise mapping of the environment, facilitating integration between virtual objects and the real world.

Augmented Reality Global Trends 2024 – Source: https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/augmented-reality-trends/

Gaming AR: Immersion and Engagement

The gaming industry has particularly benefited from augmented reality, with gaming experiences becoming increasingly immersive thanks to technologies such as 5G and improved user interfaces. For example, startup Mohx Games has developed a platform that enables seamless augmented reality multiplayer experiences.

Mobile AR Tools: Accessibility and Innovation

The adoption of mobile AR tools has made this technology more accessible to a wide audience. Leveraging advanced sensors and the computing power of smartphones, mobile AR applications are revolutionizing areas such as education and healthcare. One example is Phantom Technology, which has developed a platform to create mobile AR applications with advanced spatial mapping and object recognition.

Wearables: hands always free

Wearable devices such as the AR glasses improve the usability of AR, offering hands-free experiences useful in areas such as logistics and industrial manufacturing. The company ARKH has created a wearable controller to interact with virtual objects intuitively, making AR more accessible. Companies such as. RealWear, Inc. and Fastbrain Engineering S.r.l. have been offering augmented and assisted reality solutions suitable for major manufacturing settings.

RealWear smart glasses support in manufacturing and industrial sectors

Smart glasses offer significant benefits, including: – Reduced downtime: Smart glasses enable real-time assistance with technical troubleshooting, helping operators repair machinery and equipment quickly, reducing downtime. – Remote technical support: Operators can connect with remote experts who can see what the user sees and provide accurate directions for repairs and maintenance, improving efficiency and effectiveness of intervention. – Training and education: Smart glasses can be used for field training, with visual tutorials and step-by-step guides, helping to improve operators’ skills and empower them. – Operational efficiency: They enable real-time monitoring of machinery performance, offering data and analysis to optimize resource management and increase productivity. – Documentation and monitoring: Users can record video and voice notes while operating machinery, simplifying documentation and monitoring of activities and equipment status. – Workplace safety: Provide real-time alerts and notifications about nearby hazards, improving operator safety during operations.

<strong>Request a free demo</strong>

Prototyping and 3D Design: innovation in the creative process

AR offers the opportunity to create realistic prototypes and their visualization in real-world contexts, improving communication between designers and stakeholders. Startups such as Virtualist and XRETEH are developing platforms that enable visualization of architectural designs in real time, saving time and resources. Innovations in AR continue to evolve rapidly, driving sectors such as entertainment, education and manufacturing to increasingly integrate these technologies into their daily operations. With the development of technologies such as 5G, LiDAR* sensors and wearable devices, AR promises to offer increasingly realistic and immersive user experiences.

Immersive navigation

Augmented reality (AR)-based navigation transforms thetravel experience by overlaying digital information on top of the real world. It enables real-time directions, points of interest and contextual information, making navigation more intuitive and engaging. In addition, AR technology helps identify landmarks, obstacles and important locations in real time.

Advanced navigation with AR

Advanced AR navigation systems use real-time data to provide up-to-date information on routes and traffic conditions, improving travelefficiency. Integration with different data sources encourages the development of these solutions, which also find application in orientation within large buildings, such as airports, shopping malls and hospitals, facilitating the search for specific destinations.

Boarding Path: AR Navigation at Airports

Young Canadian company Boarding Path offers a concierge app to help travelers navigate airports using AR. The app guides travelers through terminals using the smartphone camera and overlaying information such as gate and lounge locations. It also includes voice control and sign translation, enhancing the airport experience regardless of the language spoken.

Explrar: AR for travelers

Another up-and-comer, Singapore-based Explrar, has created an app that combines artificial intelligence and AR to enhance the travel experience. Through the smartphone camera, the app overlays real-time directions and allows travelers to point the camera at a landmark for detailed information. In addition, the app translates foreign texts instantly, making it easier to find your way around new cities.

Computer Vision and AR

Computer vision combined with augmented reality gives the ability to understand and interpret the real environment. AR systems detect objects, recognize scenes, and smoothly integrate virtual content into the real world. Computer vision enhances interaction with virtual objects through surface and gesture recognition, allowing users to manipulate objects with natural movements.

Ostloong Innovations: Real-time translation with AR

Swiss company Ostloong Innovations has developed Lyra, a pair of AR glasses that uses computer vision to offer real-time translation and navigation. The glasses superimpose subtitles on conversations and enable instant translation while traveling, making it easier to move around countries with different languages. Lyra also includes note-taking and call and message management features.

Visometry: Visual inspections with AR

German company Visometry has created Twyn, an AR platform that combines machine vision and 3D models for visual inspection in industrial production. Twyn allows 3D models to be superimposed on finished products to check quality and accuracy, enabling errors to be detected before critical production steps, reducing costs and downtime.

5G and AR

5G networks enhance AR applications through high data rates and low latency, making experiences smoother and more responsive. 5G offers more effective remote collaboration in areas such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare, facilitating real-time interaction with field personnel.

Goolton Technology: AR-assisted maintenance

Chinese company Goolton Technology provides maintenance solutions for the civil aviation industry by combining AR platforms and 5G connectivity. Using AR glasses, technicians receive real-time directions from remote experts, reducing errors and delays in maintenance processes.

MyLiaison: Live AR shows thanks to 5G

Turkish company MyLiaison has developed a platform that uses 5G to deliver live performances in augmented reality, creating immersive experiences for audiences. AR glasses allow people to participate in events in real time, without latency, from anywhere.

Retail: Virtual Trial with AR

Retail brands are using augmented reality to allow customers to virtually try on products such as clothing and accessories, enhancing the online shopping experience. This reduces returns and increases customer confidence through a more realistic representation of products.

Marevo: Visualization of floors with AR

Ukrainian startup Marevo has created EF Covering, an AR app that allows users to visualize floors in real time. Users can see how different floor coverings would look in their homes, while also calculating the cost and amount of material needed, improving the buying experience.

Snapfeet: Virtual shoe trial with AR

Italian reality Snapfeet offers an AR-based virtual shoe fitting platform. The app uses computer vision and machine learning to accurately measure customers’ feet and match the correct size, reducing returns and increasing customer satisfaction.

Spatial audio and AR

Spatial audio adds realism to AR experiences by allowing users to perceive sounds from specific locations in the environment. This technology is mostly used in gaming, providing more immersive experiences and increasing situational awareness.

Ctruh Technologies: Immersive spatial audio experiences

Indian company Ctruh Technologies has developed a platform for creating AR experiences with spatial audio. This platform enables brands from different industries to create virtual walkthroughs and product showcases, improving customer engagement.

Dreamwaves: Space Navigation with AR

Young Austrian company Dreamwaves offers waveOut, a navigation app based on spatial audio and AR. The app guides users through sound signals, facilitating navigation for blind people without having to look at the screen, improving safety and accessibility.

*LiDAR and AR

The integration of LiDAR with AR enables precise mapping of the environment, improving the interaction between virtual objects and the real world. * LiDAR is an acronym that stands for Light Detection and Ranging. In LiDAR, laser light is sent from a source (transmitter) and reflected by objects in the scene.

Reflected light is detected by the system’s receiver, and time-of-flight (TOF) is used to develop a map of distances to objects in the scene. (Source: https://www.synopsys.com/glossary) This enables more accurate visualization of 3D models, especially in the fields of architecture and construction.

Home Gallery: Artistic visualization with AR

French Reality Home Gallery offers an AR app that allows artworks to be viewed in real time prior to purchase. Using LiDAR sensors, the app projects an interactive, life-size model of the work into the environment, making it easier for customers to choose.

AR Trends 2025 -2026

Augmented reality is set to increasingly integrate with emerging technologies such as blockchain, NFT and the metaverse, finding applications in areas such as education, the automotive industry and entertainment. Ongoing innovations, such as Apple’s upcoming AR visor, promise to expand the possibilities of AR’s use in numerous areas.

What it means to rely on Intelligent Assisted Reality technologies.

With Fastbrain and RealWear, customer satisfaction can be increased by making work more efficient and easier. Experts can, through smart glasses, guide, train and assist technicians in the field hands-free as they do their work. RealWear solutions support companies in every industry with the best AR smart glasses on the market, under the banner of continuous innovation and sustainability.

Contact one of our experts for free

REQUEST A NO-OBLIGATION DEMO

We are the Official RealWear Partner for Italy and will provide you with one of our Experts free of charge to gain a practical understanding of how RealWear can apply to your specific needs to improve your work.

I consent to the processing of my data* (Privacy Policy)

Send

Are you having trouble using the form? Email us at [email protected]

  References, “Top 10 Augmented Reality Trends & Startups 2024.” StartUs Insights, 2024. “How Augmented Reality is Changing the Way We Work.” Tech Radar, 2023. “The Future of AR in Business.” Forbes, 2024. https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/augmented-reality-trends/ https://www.xrtoday.com/mixed-reality/the-mixed-reality-headset-trends-to-watch-in-2024/  

About Fastbrain and why to choose it

We are Certified Partners of leading Technology Players, offering customized solutions, pre-sales and after-sales support and operational rental included. As a RealWear Gold Partner, we offer state-of-the-art assisted reality solutions designed to connect and collaborate with experts remotely, track digital workflows, visualize IoT data, and more. Safely reduce downtime, improve quality and employee productivity, while realizing a significant return on investment. Discover all the benefits of intelligent assisted reality for your Company.

Info: [email protected] | Tel 011.0376.054