Immersive Technologies
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AR and smart glasses become more prominent

AR and smart glasses have faced adoption barriers in recent years due to bulky designs. Now, they are lighter, more comfortable, and resemble conventional eyewear. A broader range of products has targeted niche and general markets. Major companies like Apple, Meta, and Google are signalling imminent launches, thus indicating that smart glasses will become mainstream and more widely used. However, it is not expected that smart glasses will fully live up to their potential and become mainstream in the next 15 years. Till then, it is anticipated that AR and smart glasses will be developed mostly for specific use cases.

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To date, several AR devices and smart glasses have been introduced into the market. While some glasses are still in the beta-testing phase, others are launched softly and in a controlled manner, for example on a country-by-country basis. However, key questions concerning functional added value, appearances, usability, and ethics will remain.

Maturity

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Changing dynamics in Responsible AI From large to small language models AR and smart glasses become more prominent Increasing AI-enhanced user experience Growing big tech competition for the XR stack Increased application of FAIR principles to enable digital ecosystems in Europe Growing relevance of TRUST principles for data repositories to secure data More decentralisation of data ownership enabled by SSI solutions Emergence of organisational wallets Push for transparent supply chains with digital product passports Bringing computing resources closer to the ‘edge’ Growing need for automated cloud and edge resource management Growing emphasis on neuromorphic (brain-inspired) computing Integrating photonics for accelerated information processing The battle for airwaves AI/Ops, digital twinning and the emergence of the LLM in network operations Power usage and ecological footprint From ad hoc experiments to applications Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) Cyber-physical technology calls for resilient minds A growing urge for chip sovereignty in Europe

Drivers

Impact

education

Education

  • Faster skills transfer is foreseeable in practical lab settings based on for example augmented instructions.
  • Augmented reality functionality of glasses assists in an easier wayfinding and provision of student information through the campus.
  • Easier live caption of education & training activities for students and teachers with impaired vision or language barriers.
  • Attention to the use of AR glasses within the classrooms, exam settings and communal areas, including the processing of biometric data may need a policy review.
Research

Research

  • Devices support through augmented reality and forms of user interaction, enhanced remote collaboration with research peers, such as lab team members.
  • Easier accessibility of captured (live) data through smart glasses.
  • Interaction with research information and communication related to open science.
Operations

Operations

  • Smart glasses in combination with augmented reality and digital overlays support equipment installation, operations, and maintenance.
  • Augmented reality functionality of glasses assists in an easier wayfinding for visitors through the campus.
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