AR and sports: what does the future hold?

Although virtual reality (VR) has been touted as the next big thing in tech for quite some time, it is arguably augmented reality (AR) that holds the most potential from a commercial perspective.

Talk about VR and AR has increased in recent years and the discussion about the so-called metaverse has also intensified in the past few months, while the sports industry has been using AR tech for quite some time.

The application of AR technologies is evolving fast. With the proliferation of high-powered mobile devices and wearable tech, we are beginning to realize what the full potential of the technology may be.

But before we go on to explore what some of these possible applications might look like, we should first get a better understanding of what exactly AR is. With this in mind, keep reading this short article to find out!

What is AR?

Although you might already be familiar with VR, it appears that AR may show the most promise.

While VR creates a digital environment that is completely separate from the real world, AR involves the creation of digital images that are layered on top of the real world. This could take a number of different forms, but most commonly will involve layering videos, images and other interactive digital resources.

In this way, rather than replacing the real world with a new virtual environment, AR technology seeks to enhance it.

In terms of the potential applications for this technology, one of the reasons why so many technologists are so excited about it is because of just how adaptable it is. Even at this relatively early stage of its development, the only limit is our imagination!

Although AR has already been put to use in sectors such as e-commerce and logistics, it is arguably the entertainment industry that is eying it the most enthusiastically.

Video games developers have already started to develop innovative ways of putting AR to use. With games such as Pokémon Go shifting millions of copies, the commercial potential is clearly there.

This is also true of the online casino sector, where developers have used AR to enhance table casino games online. AR has a range of applications in online casino games, which includes creating fully customisable gambling environments, in-game lobbies and game selection screens.

Other forms of entertainment are equally well suited to AR technology, with professional sports being one of the most exciting areas of development. But how exactly might we see AR used in professional sports and how can it be used to enhance the viewing experience?

AR and sport

There are a number of different ways in which AR technology might enhance and enrich both the playing and watching of professional sports. While some of these are focused on the viewing experience specifically, others are geared towards improving the game itself. Here are some of the most exciting possible applications:

• Improving the customer stadium experience: AR can be used to guide audience members through the stadium and improve their experience of attending games. AR can be used as a navigation tool as well as to access information about the game. Brands can also use AR to improve the customer experience at concessions.
• Enhanced advertising: Both in the stadium and at home, brands can use AR technology to deliver more immersive advertisements. Audience members, whether at in-person events or at home, can use AR to access special deals or other marketing information.
• Improve in-game analysis: A range of different professional sports have become increasingly reliant on trackers to analyse player performance. The use of AR graphics, combined with AI and data analysis, can be used to enhance the display of this information.
• Sports medicine: As with traditional medical training, AR can be used to enhance the provision of sports specific medicine. In addition to the wearable technology that can be used to diagnose injuries, AR can also be used to train the next generation of sports doctors.
• Sports training: AR tech is an excellent tool for training athletes and teaching them new sports-specific skills, particularly in sports such as golf, where the in-game environment is difficult to recreate. A whole new range of situations and possibilities can be recreated virtually, which can be used to condition athletes. This can help to make training sessions more effective, improve specific techniques and expose athletes to a wide range of in-game scenarios.