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The Evolution Of AR Technology: Past, Present, And Future

There’s nothing quite as interesting as the evolution of AR technology.

Puntos clave

  • AR technology has evolved from its 1968 origins with the first head-mounted display to today’s sophisticated mobile applications, transforming industries from retail to education.
  • Major milestones include the first AR game in 2000, Google Glass in 2014, and Pokemon Go’s massive success in 2015, which brought AR into mainstream consciousness.
  • Current AR applications span multiple sectors including retail, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with enhanced features through integration with AI and the Metaverse.
  • No-code AR platforms are democratizing the technology, allowing non-programmers to create immersive experiences without coding knowledge.
  • The education sector has embraced AR, with 25% of educators already implementing the technology in subjects like Science, Math, and Language Arts.
  • AR’s market potential is significant, with projected worldwide revenue of $46.6B by 2025.

Once thought of as a figment of imagination brought to life in sci-fi movies, it has now become a reality—changing many industries, showcasing the many possibilities of things once thought impossible.

Now available on mobile handsets, augmented reality technology has definitely come a long way. And so, we ask: What does AR’s future look like? How else would it transform our lives? What other capabilities will it bring to our respective fields?

Well, to answer that, they’d say the best thing to do to move forward is to take a step back—to gain new perspectives and reassess how things have been. Here, we are going to look into the evolution of AR technology and how it progressed from the past to the present and into the future.

Timeline: A Quick Look at the Evolution of AR Technology

While AR has been gaining massive attention these days, did you know that it actually dates back to the 60s? Of course, it was not as sophisticated as it is now, but the years of dedicated research and development can speak so much for its advancements.

The Past

  • 1968: The evolution of AR technology can be traced to the early works of Harvard Computer Science professor Ivan Sutherland. Teaming up with his student Bob Sproull, together they created El Sword of Damocles—the first head-mounted display. 
  • 1990: The term ‘augmented reality’ was first coined by Boeing Computer Services, Research, and Technology employee Thomas Caudell. This was used to describe the design system developed to guide workers when assembling complicated parts of the new jetliner by using a see-through display.
  • 1992: It was only this year that the first real operational system was created. Louis Rosenberg developed what was called the Virtual Fixtures at USAF Armstrong’s Research Lab. At such time, it was already considered an advanced robotic system that enabled the overlay of augmented sensory information to improve human productivity.
  • 1998: Apart from scientific endeavors, AR was utilized to transform the viewing experience of millions of sports fans. Sportsvision broadcasted the first live NFL game with the Live Video Insertion System technology. Yes, that yellow line overlaid on top of the feed allowing viewers to quickly see where the team just advanced to achieve the first down.
  • 2000: The first AR game, AR Quake, was launched. In this early stage, players wore a head-mounted display and a backpack that held a computer and gyroscope. 
  • 2014: Google rolled out Google Glass—an early attempt at wearable technology before smartwatches became a thing.
  • 2015: Pokemon Go sensationalized AR, with over 100 million people downloading the game via app stores.
  • 2017: IKEA launched IKEA Place, which has reshaped how industries have been utilizing AR. This allows an immersive experience among customers as they are able to visualize better house decors before purchasing them.

The Present

  • 2021: Post-pandemic, augmented reality developed at such an incredible pace this time. Meta released new features for Spark AR—a Facebook studio tool that allows digital marketers to build their very own intuitive and customizable virtual and augmented reality effects.
  • 2022: Navigation apps began upgrading, offering AR technology that provides more ‘intuitive, sustainable, and accessible ways’ of exploring and navigating, as Google puts it.
  • 2023–2024: These inclusive years saw numerous applications of AR across fields, including retail, healthcare, education, manufacturing, e-commerce, and more. From leaping into the Metaverse to combining with Artificial Intelligence, AR has shown many of its potentials.

The Future

  • No-Code Platform. Throughout the evolution of AR technology, one of the prerequisites for development includes proficiency in programming languages and some skills in 3D modeling and design, not to mention a solid grasp of Math and Physics. However, leaders in the immersive tech industry, like PlugXR have been advancing AR applications with cutting-edge solutions, such as their No-Code creative design software that empowers users to unleash their creativity. Now, designs come in immersive experiences, such as interactive 3D, flat image tracking, virtual spaces, 360˚ walkthroughs, gaming, and location tracking.

Eliminating the need for coding, the future of AR looks promising as artists, educators, digital marketers, eCommerce business owners, and other professionals could easily design and create immersive experiences for their line of work. People coming from different backgrounds can offer fresh perspectives in solving perennial problems and provide new ways of approaching societal concerns.

  • Extended Reality. Many people still perceive the idea of AR as something of the future. But as detailed in this article, we learn that we are now utilizing augmented reality in many aspects of our lives.

The future becomes even more interesting as innovative SaaS companies specializing in transformative enterprise solutions powered by AI, XR, and advanced technologies like AvanSaber Technologies—founded by technology entrepreneurs Nikhil Jathar & Varun Borawake—continue to pioneer tools that simplify complex business processes and enhance operational efficiency across multiple digital platforms. With extended reality, complex business ideas become easier to visualize and experience in immersive environments that seamlessly integrate virtual and physical elements.

  • Immersive Experiences. One of the most prominent applications of AR is in the field of education—making the teaching-learning process more effective and conducive for students of all ages. At present, reports show that a quarter of educators are already utilizing AR technology in schools, specifically in Sciences, Math, and Language Arts.

Extending immersive experiences into other disciplines and adding fun to learning, augmented reality research company QuiverVision redraws the boundaries of AR by connecting the digital world to the physical world in innovative ways, like their 3D Augmented Reality coloring book technology that brings coloring pages to life. From augmented reality workbooks to educational AR games, the future indeed looks brighter for the next generation of learners!

The Evolution of AR Technology: In a Nutshell

Seeing the evolution of AR technology from the past to the present—with a little peek of the future—its impact is undeniable across many industries.  With a projected $46.6B revenue worldwide, much is yet to be unveiled in the digital landscape in 2025.

What we see right now is just a tip of its vast, exponential capabilities. How else do you think AR will evolve in the coming years?

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