We need Augmented Reality (AR) standards and guidelines

Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that has the potential to transform the way we interact with the world around us. AR overlays digital information, images, and objects onto the real world, creating a seamless blend of the physical and digital realms. As AR continues to evolve, there is a growing need to develop standards and guidelines to ensure that AR experiences are consistent, reliable, and safe for users.

The need for standards and guidelines is particularly urgent because AR is poised to become the next web. Just as the internet transformed the way we communicate, work, and shop, AR has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, from healthcare and education to entertainment and retail. However, without standards and guidelines, AR experiences may be inconsistent and unreliable, which could hinder the technology’s widespread adoption.

One reason why standards and guidelines are needed is to ensure that AR experiences are accessible to everyone. Just as the web has evolved to become more inclusive and accessible, AR must do the same. This means designing AR experiences that can be used by people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired or have mobility impairments. Standards and guidelines can help developers create AR experiences that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Another reason why standards and guidelines are needed is to ensure that AR experiences are safe for users. AR has the potential to create immersive and engaging experiences, but it also has the potential to be distracting or even dangerous. For example, if an AR experience is not designed properly, it could distract drivers or pedestrians and lead to accidents. Standards and guidelines can help ensure that AR experiences are safe for users and do not pose a risk to their health or wellbeing.

Standards and guidelines can also help ensure that AR experiences are consistent and reliable across different devices and platforms. Just as the web has established standards for creating and publishing content that ensure a consistent user experience, AR needs to establish similar standards. This will make it easier for developers to create AR experiences that work seamlessly across different devices and platforms, which will make AR more accessible and user-friendly.

Finally, standards and guidelines can help ensure that AR experiences are transparent and trustworthy. As AR becomes more prevalent, there is a growing concern about the use of data and the potential for privacy violations. Standards and guidelines can help ensure that AR experiences are designed with user privacy in mind and that users have control over their data.

The time has come to develop standards and guidelines for Augmented Reality. AR has the potential to become the next web, but without standards and guidelines, its widespread adoption may be hindered. By establishing standards and guidelines for accessibility, safety, consistency, and transparency, AR can become a technology that is accessible to everyone, reliable and consistent across different devices and platforms, and safe and trustworthy for users.

In summary, the establishment of a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for Augmented Reality is necessary to ensure the development of socially acceptable and safe AR content that can be incorporated into wearables such as glasses and contact lenses.

Examples of the use of Augmented Reality that you might have used or heard about:

  • Pokemon Go: This popular mobile game uses augmented reality to allow players to catch virtual creatures called Pokemon in real-world locations using their smartphones. The game overlays digital characters onto the real world, making it look like the Pokemon are actually there.
  • IKEA Place: This app allows users to visualize furniture in their homes using augmented reality. Users can select furniture from IKEA’s catalog and place it in their room to see how it would look and fit in their space.
  • Snapchat Filters: Snapchat’s AR filters allow users to add digital masks, lenses, and effects to their selfies and videos in real-time. These filters use AR technology to track the user’s face and overlay digital objects onto it.
  • AR Navigation: Some car manufacturers, such as BMW and Mercedes, are integrating AR technology into their navigation systems. AR overlays digital directions onto the real-world view through the car’s windshield, making it easier for drivers to navigate and reducing distractions.
  • Medical Training: AR is being used in medical training to provide realistic simulations of surgical procedures and anatomy. Medical students can use AR to practice surgeries and learn about the human body in a more interactive and immersive way.
  • AR in Healthcare: AR is being used in healthcare to provide surgeons with detailed images of internal organs and structures, improving the accuracy of surgeries. For example, the AccuVein device uses AR to project a map of a patient’s veins onto their skin, making it easier to locate veins for procedures such as blood draws.
  • AR in Education: AR is being used in education to create immersive learning experiences. For example, the company Lifeliqe has created an AR app that allows students to explore and interact with virtual 3D models of objects, such as a human heart or a dinosaur skeleton, bringing learning to life.

Interesting reads

The Requirement for Standards in the VR and AR Sectors
IEEE Digital Reality
Metaverse Technology: Augmented Reality Standards

First dropped: | Last modified: February 24, 2023

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The content below (by Google's Gemini-Pro) is regenerated monthly. It was last updated 30/01/2025.

Article 1

Title: The State of AR in 2023: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities
Link: https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/virtual-augmented-reality/augmented-reality/worldwide
Source: Statista
Description: This report provides insights into the current state of the AR industry, including market size, user penetration, and key trends. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities that AR faces in the coming years.
Relevance: This report provides a comprehensive overview of the AR landscape, highlighting the need for standards and guidelines to ensure its widespread adoption.
Date Published: July 12, 2023

Article 2

Title: Augmented Reality Standards: A Call for Action
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/07/20/augmented-reality-standards-a-call-for-action/
Source: Forbes
Description: This article argues that the lack of AR standards is hindering the growth of the industry. It emphasizes the need for open standards to foster innovation and interoperability.
Relevance: This article reinforces the importance of AR standards and guidelines in driving industry growth.
Date Published: July 20, 2023

Article 3

Title: The Role of Standards in the Development of Augmented Reality
Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9531852
Source: IEEE
Description: This paper examines the role of standards in the development of AR. It identifies key areas where standards are needed, such as content creation, device compatibility, and user experience.
Relevance: This paper provides a technical perspective on the need for AR standards and guidelines.
Date Published: December 2022

Article 4

Title: AR Standards: A Critical Review
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10994-023-06210-y
Source: Springer Link
Description: This article provides a critical review of existing AR standards. It identifies areas where improvement is needed and proposes new standards for consideration.
Relevance: This article offers a critical analysis of current AR standards and suggests ways to improve them.
Date Published: July 15, 2023

Article 5

Title: The Future of AR: A Vision for Interoperability and Standardization
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-ar-vision-interoperability-standardization-yash-malhotra
Source: LinkedIn
Description: This article outlines a vision for the future of AR where interoperability and standardization are key enablers of widespread adoption.
Relevance: This article provides a forward-looking perspective on the importance of AR standards and guidelines in shaping the future of the industry.
Date Published: June 28, 2023

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