Industrial AR Moves from Buzz to Business Value, PTC Report Shows

According to Mike Campbell, PTC’s Executive Vice President of Augmented Reality Products, more companies are deploying industrial AR, demonstrating a shift from hype to tangible business value.

Campbell notes that the next six to twelve months will see a surge of AR solutions across service, sales and manufacturing, targeting both customer-facing and internal worker applications.

The most compelling scenarios leverage IIoT data, with predictive service and maintenance emerging as the “killer use cases” for AR, according to the report “The State of Industrial Augmented Reality: A Spotlight on Industrial Innovation.”

High demand is evident in sectors facing fierce global competition and a skills gap due to recruitment challenges and a retiring workforce. Rapid adoption is particularly notable in automotive, healthcare, and defense (FA&D) industries.

The research also highlights exclusive data from Vuforia Engine and Vuforia Studio customers, reflecting PTC’s recent consolidation of all AR technologies under the Vuforia brand.

PTC announced a dedicated AR business unit at its annual conference, reporting a $20 million revenue stream that is growing at 100 % year over year.

IIoT data drives many of these use cases by providing real‑time insights that AR overlays onto equipment. Workers wearing smart glasses can see live performance metrics and step‑by‑step guidance directly in their field of view.

“When real‑time visual feedback is combined with precise augmented instructions, front‑line personnel can address issues more efficiently and safely,” Campbell said.

Campbell predicts that IIoT will accelerate the broader acceptance of AR, giving enterprises a clear competitive edge.

“This report signals that industrial enterprise believes in the value of AR and is moving quickly to realize the advantage it creates,” he added.