5G could be the key to unlocking Augmented Reality’s potential.
We all know by now that 5G is going to be a big deal. The next generation mobile network will provide ubiquitous gigabit connection speeds, extremely low latency and unrestricted capacity.
In fact, it’s rather difficult to imagine a modern industry that won’t be positively affected by 5G’s arrival.
Of the countless technologies that will benefit from the wide-scale deployment of Verizon’s 5G network, perhaps none have more buzz than the fields of augmented and virtual reality.
Why?
Both VR and AR require a cheaper, more substantial network with lower latency and more consistency if they are to continue to evolve.
In short, 5G is a necessity.
5G Solves High-Bandwidth Demands Of AR
Both VR and AR experiences weave complex worlds and simulations that require very sophisticated inputs.
The mechanism of operations involves the processing of copious amounts of data that can best be handled by a superior mobile network. The need for this powerful next-gen mobile network will become more apparent as the users move away from a fixed internet connection or in instances where the user is in motion.
In such instances, the quality of the experience is radically diminished with the current generation of mobile networks.
Mangala Bhattacharjee, senior marketing manager at Research on Global Markets, which has a speciality in research, evaluation and analysis of 5G technology, believes that 5G as a technology inherently brings aspects such as high-speed, ultra-low latency and high bandwidth — all in a wireless communication network.
He believes that the initial implementations of AR applications in the consumer (navigation, virtual tourism, immersive gaming) and at the enterprise level (digital twins for predictive maintenance in the manufacturing sector, remote surgeries in healthcare) will become seamless once 5G networks become widespread.
“Having said this, AR/VR technologies are now moving into the realms of what is termed as ‘Mixed Realities’ where augmented and virtual realities will be combined with the real world to create an advance immersive experience, which will demand a lot of parallel enabling technologies,” he said.
Augmented Reality in action
Verizon has already begun testing and demoing AR and VR experiences powered by 5G.
Last year, at the 2018 NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles, Bradley Beal and Anthony Davis played with 5G-enabled first-person goggles to demonstrate how Verizon’s lightning-fast speeds could simulate a real-time on-court shoot-around.