| dc.description.abstract | Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the emerging technologies of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution that might bring radical shifts to the way we live and interact with the world around
us. This thesis examines the benefits and use cases of AR in business processes. Furthermore,
it examines the limitations and barriers that can explain why more companies are not
committing to the technology.
The aim of the thesis is to determine if AR belongs in the future of business, and if so, when
there will be mass adoption. To do so, we interviewed 10 individuals with experience and
expertise in AR. Using thematic analysis, we divided the findings into three different time
periods, yesterday, today, and future. Limitations and barriers were further divided into four
categories: hardware, UX and software, culture and society, and company.
Our findings reveal several benefits to AR, for example improved efficiency, accelerating
training and reducing costs. More importantly, AR is set to drastically change how we see and
interact with our surroundings. It has the potential to become an integral part of our daily lives.
However, findings highlight several limitations and barriers that must be overcome for AR to
reach mass adoption. Most prominently, cumbersome hardware, and the need for acceptance
and a normalization of AR in both companies and society. Nevertheless, we conclude that
mass adoption of AR is likely to happen in the next 10 years. Consequently, the thesis imply
that companies should prepare themselves proactively for an AR revolution, so that once the
limitations and barriers are softened, companies are able to keep pace with the technological
advancements and thrive in the years to come. | en_US |
