Can Augmented Reality Shorten the Learning Curve?

Burgeoning technologies like augmented reality are some of the prime drivers of innovation. AR has the capacity to revolutionize education as well as modern workforce training. Adding interactive digital elements into the real world enables businesses to build a more competent workforce.

AR can put an end to traditional methods of education, which are too constrained and costly. In using this technology, businesses can improve knowledge retention and reduce the cost of training programs.

But can AR shorten the learning curve?

Augmented Reality in Healthcare

In the healthcare sector, AR can significantly improve the training of surgeons, clinicians, and other medical personnel. 3D scanning enables healthcare professionals to have a better understanding of the human body and improve accuracy in surgery. For instance, a doctor could use AR to practice performing open-heart surgery—sans the risks and costs of hands-on training.

AR technology shortens the learning curve in medical education by providing doctors with accurate virtual surgical simulations. Instead of relying on expensive surgical dummies, doctors can practice anywhere and anytime they want with a VR headset and a haptic device like the HaptX Gloves. For rare and complicated cases, they won’t have to wait for patients to be wheeled into their operating room to practice such complex surgeries. VR lets them improve their skills without risking human lives.

Even the most comprehensive books and the most elaborate surgical dummies can’t compare to the training that AR offers.

Research shows that AR-enhanced transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) supports faster and safer navigation for beating heart mitral valve surgery.

Augmented Reality in Retail Training

Having poor corporate training programs can lead to negative consequences for businesses. For that reason, companies should start investing in AR technologies.

One of the challenges that retailers face is training sales personnel. AR is arguably the best solution for it. Investing in AR functionality enables retailers to share crucial product information with employees through apps. Employees can easily download the information they need and study whenever they need to. Retailers may also use AR to create simulations of real-world scenarios that new hires must deal with while on the job. This prepares trainees for real-world situations and teaches them how to respond properly.

Not only that, companies are now using smart glasses to conduct on-the-spot training. Award-winning augmented reality platform Atheer, for instance, created an AR program that shortens the learning curve for the staff. Through smart glasses, employees can access step-by-step guides, contextual documents, barcode scanning, and more. This enables employees to integrate easily with existing workflows.

Augmented Reality in Industrial Fields

Companies that operate in hazardous conditions such as those from the energy, pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries may also deploy AR programs to train employees. Using smart glasses, for instance, is one way to keep everyone informed about safety instructions.

With AR, companies may create simulations of hazardous work scenarios to teach employees how to react and respond to them. This way, new hires can learn faster and more effectively. They can feel more confident when they assume their roles in the company.

Mobile AR is expected to gain about a billion users by 2021. Most of the exciting possibilities for AR lie in the future. But that doesn’t mean businesses should ignore existing AR applications today.

Embracing AR technologies as early as today enables companies to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.