Tech Trends

Augmented Reality to Reach $100 Billion by 2024

• By David Nagel
• 02/27/20

The market for augmented reality will soar to $100 billion by 2024, driven by advances in interaction between the user and AR devices, according to a new forecast by market research firm ABI.

Said ABI Research Analyst Eleftheria Kouri: “Simple and intuitive UI and streamlined UX have mostly been ignored in the AR market thus far, but both are essential for enhancing and maximizing the value which will propel AR smart glasses growth toward the mainstream. Being able to remove the requirement for device training and keep users engaged with the device will maximize value for consumers and enterprises. At the same time, device features such as lower weight, capability for spatial mapping and sound, improved display quality, and better user feedback through UI and haptics also play an important role in maximizing this value.”

According to ABI: “Gaze and gesture control are considered among the most emerging interaction methods for AR smart glasses, which significantly enhances UX and immersion by allowing users to intuitively and swiftly perform hands-free tasks. While highly capable, gaze and gesture control are not suited for every user or use case because they require high accuracy and low latency to be efficient and meet user’s expectations. Advanced AR headsets such HoloLens 2 and Magic Leap 1 support a wider range of UI opportunities and input methods thanks to inclusion of things like eye tracking. While these are currently the most capable AR devices available, there is still significant value in simpler devices that maximize usability and streamline user experience with other input paradigms.”

The findings were released as par tof ABI’s User Interface and User Experience in AR technology analysis report. Further details can be found at abiresearch.com.