South Korea Augmented Reality in Healthcare Market Assessment, By Component [Hardware, Software], By Product [AR Displays, AR Sensors, AR Input Devices, AR Semiconductors, Others], By Device Type [Head-Mounted Devices, Handheld Devices, Others], By Applic

South Korea Augmented Reality in Healthcare Market Assessment, By Component [Hardware, Software], By Product [AR Displays, AR Sensors, AR Input Devices, AR Semiconductors, Others], By Device Type [Head-Mounted Devices, Handheld Devices, Others], By Application [Medical Training, Surgery Virtualization, Medical Imaging, Diagnosis and Treatment, Drug Information, Vein Visualization, Patient Self-Care, Others], By End-user [Hospitals and Clinics, Research Laboratories, Academic Institutions, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

UAE augmented reality in healthcare market is projected to witness a CAGR of 28.04% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 27.83 million in 2023 to USD 201.07 million in 2031. The expansion of the telemedicine sector boosts the growth of the market, the introduction of supportive government measures, rising investments in the healthcare sector, and the development of advanced technological solutions. The government's growing efforts to make the UAE a hub of medical tourism propel the adoption of advanced technologies, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), among others. Dubai and the UAE are prioritizing the creation of one of the most advanced healthcare sectors globally, which aligns with their vision to bring together leading healthcare professionals across the globe. They aim to create a healthcare hub that can meet the healthcare requirements of the country’s population as well as the evolving requirements of other countries.

Additionally, various startups based in the country are also increasingly focusing on developing AR solutions to enhance patient care and improve their quality of life. In October 2023, XPANCEO RESEARCH ON NATURAL SCIENCE L.L.C. announced that they raised USD 40 million seed for launching AR contact lenses. After several attempts, the team created and successfully tested three prototypes that enable real-time health monitoring, zoom, night vision, and the ability to see graphic and video content in AR. The ultra-thin lenses are made of advanced optical materials to ensure the comfort of the wearer and unleash the potential of AR. Such developments are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market in the coming years.

Expansion of Telemedicine Sector Boosts Market Demand

The growing popularity of telemedicine in the country is propelling the UAE augmented reality in healthcare market demand. This growth can be attributed to the rising awareness about the various advantages offered by telemedicine, including decreased contact between patients and doctors, which limits the spread of infectious diseases, and the time and cost-efficient nature of the services. According to the statistics released by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), telehealth services witnessed an increase of 24% in 2022. This, in turn, provides lucrative growth opportunities to the market as AR aids healthcare professionals in adding data and visual-based overlays, allowing them to provide useful information to patients and a proper diagnosis. AR also enables the creation of a real-time interactive experience for patients.

Supportive Government Measures and Investments Support Market Growth

The increasing investments by the government towards the healthcare sector are expected to support the growth of the UAE augmented reality in healthcare market. In the 2022 federal budget, 7.6% of the USD 17.18 billion (AED 63.066 billion) approved for public spending was dedicated to healthcare. Furthermore, dedicated healthcare budgets are overseen by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and the Dubai Health Authority.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Prevention deployed a digital space platform for nurses, doctors, private facilities, and the pharmaceutical government in collaboration with the Dubai Healthcare City and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, among other health authorities. With these measures the government aims to improve the efficiency of healthcare services. The blockchain based platform aids in securing an encrypted, unchangeable, and decentralized database with high protection to verify the reliability and validity of the data. Such efforts and investments are expected to propel the requirement for AR and boost the UAE augmented reality in healthcare market size.

Technological Advancements Support Market Expansion

Advancements such as the launch of metaverse hospitals are expected to support the expansion of the UAE augmented reality in the healthcare market. Thumbay Group, one of the leading healthcare organizations in the country, is expected to launch the first metaverse hospital in the UAE by October 2024. The fully virtual healthcare institution will allow patients to consult physicians using their avatars, which will be incorporated with artificial intelligence (AI). Adopting AR and VR will also allow patients with terminal illnesses to experience their home surroundings. Such developments, coupled with the rising awareness about the different advantages associated with using AR in healthcare, are expected to bolster the market’s demand.

Hospitals and Clinics Hold Major Market Share

The expansion of the segment can be attributed to the growing investments by different hospitals in the country towards the upgradation of their equipment and services to enhance treatment outcomes and patient convenience. In August 2024, Reem Hospital, located in Abu Dhabi, leveraged AR navigation technology to address leg weakness and lower back pain caused by spondylolisthesis in a 61-year-old patient. The successful implementation of AR technology in spine surgery is expected to bring forward a new era for complex spinal disorder treatments. The AR navigation technology reduces infection risk and procedure duration by providing precise guidance to surgeons. The high surgical accuracy ensures the provision of better post operative outcomes and faster recovery. The projection of surgical processes on screens in the operating theatres in hospitals facilitates learning opportunities for healthcare professionals and fosters teamwork. Such introductions are therefore allowing hospitals in the country to improve patient experience and upgrade their skillsets, supporting the segment’s expansion.

Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)

As per the UAE augmented reality in healthcare market analysis, the market growth is supported by increasing efforts of the government to propel the adoption of AR in the healthcare sector, the growing availability of technologically advanced solutions, and the rising popularity of telemedicine.

The development of novel AR applications that aid in streamlining healthcare operations, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and improving treatment outcomes, coupled with the integration of AR with the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI, is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the market.

The rising collaborations between market players and healthcare institutions to ensure the development of solutions that allow healthcare professionals to address various challenges patients face are further expected to augment the adoption of AR in healthcare.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Increasing collaborations between the key players and health organizations are boosting the UAE augmented reality in healthcare market growth. In 2023, the DHA and Proximie Limited built an AR platform to allow the doctors of the country to provide virtual help in real-time, no matter the patient’s location. Such collaborations aid in improving patient experience by enabling healthcare professionals to provide remote guidance and allowing specialists to guide surgeons through real-time operations. The platform is expected to allow patients from remote locations to access healthcare services and receive proper diagnoses and treatments without having to commute long distances for appointments.