See the unseen, go whenever you want, and transform the environment around – with AR, you are in charge of what is happening around you. In this ultimate guide, we will cover everything you need to know about augmented reality and how it changes our lives. Get yourself comfortable and prepare to welcome unknown worlds.
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Let’s start with the augmented reality definition. Augmented reality is a technology that adds a digital layer to the world around us and imposes virtual elements and experiences into our reality. To see and feel the enhanced reality, you need special hardware devices: either wearable or non-wearable.
These devices blend our real world with a virtual one, creating the illusion that all the objects you interact with are real. Here are some examples of common AR devices:
These devices differ by their level of immersion and the kind of control you get over them. To help learn more about the possibilities each device provides, we’ve cherry-picked our favorite ones in different categories:
To better understand how augmented reality influences our lives and transforms its various aspects, check out these augmented reality examples from different industries.
From providing more detailed drug information with augmented reality demo to assisting surgeons during surgery with x-ray views – AR is already revolutionizing healthcare.
Do you love IKEA stuff as we do? Then you may know about its AR app where you can virtually place furnishings in your space. Try it before you buy it – a lot of international brands use AR to help their customers try the product and check how it looks before making a purchase. A great way to boost sales, isn’t it?
With the help of AR, now it’s easier to navigate large buildings (such as airports, shopping malls, etc.) as well as big cities. People can easily travel from one point to another and find any route or way out with the help of augmented reality on their phones.
Impressed? This is just a small part of what AR brings into our lives. And it’s all thanks to the leading AR development companies that make the impossible possible. Let’s check out a few of them.
The following companies have proved their expertise in artificial intelligence development as they deploy leading app solutions for different industries.
A Chicago-based company that provides leading solutions for multi-touch surfaces, gesture-based reactive interfaces, and facial tracking.
An award-winning company that has created an app based on the iOS ARKit platform for the world-renowned automotive brand Toyota. They are known for creating AR solutions for different industries with such features as location-based fan engagement experiences and interactive installations, CGI and animation, 360º videos, and interactive apps.
A New York-based company that develops AR solutions for eCommerce applications. They work with brands like IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Interior Define, Nameless.TV.
A mobile app development company with expertise in AR development for startups and seasonal businesses. The company has developed three AR solutions for Zoetis – the global leader in animal health and medicine.
A Polish app development company that provides AR development services such as AR trivia games, AR drawing, AR tours, AR architectural presentations, and product visualizations.
Read more about the achievements of these companies in our article “5 Amazing AR Development Companies You Should Know.”
That’s not all. We have gathered the best examples of AR services in 2020 to inspire you and help you come up with your own idea for an AR startup.
Here is a list of augmented reality applications that disrupt the market and attract more customers to their brand.
Let’s dive deeper now and see how augmented reality changes different industries. Intrigued? Let’s start with the augmented reality examples in retail.
According to Business Insider statistics, 75% of customers expect retailers to offer an AR experience. The global pandemic has changed the way we buy, and businesses need to adapt: switching to omnichannel business models and increasing the number of touchpoints with their customers.
So how can you unlock the full potential of AR in retail? Here is a list of AR examples you can adopt to transform the way people interact with your brand.
Make it easy for your customers to find any product or place they want. With the help of visual AR markers, customers only have to scan a poster at the entrance and follow directions that will guide them to the right place.
People are always pressed for time these days, so they need to quickly make decisions and find the information they want. AR apps simplify the decision-making process by providing AR information about any product. Just point your camera at the particular product and you’ll see all the required product information overlaid on the screen of your device.
Retailers can now increase the engagement of their customers by providing virtual fitting rooms, where people can try the product before spending any money. A lot of brands such as Timberland, Converse, and Shiseido already make use of this technology.
We have already mentioned Ikea and its great app that lets you “try on” any furniture in your actual room. Other furniture and interior shops need to catch up and provide an experience like this to their customers.
AR transforms the retail industry, and if you want to stay competitive in the market, you always have to stay tuned for innovations. Interested in how specific industries do it? Let’s see how AR is used in such spheres as jewelry and fashion.
What could be better than trying on jewelry online in the comfort of your home? With augmented reality, this isn’t a dream anymore. With the emergence of AR jewelry apps, customers feel like they already have the product and are more likely to buy. In turn, businesses provide a more personalized customer experience, engage their customers, and gradually nurture cold leads.
However, everything is not as easy as it seems. We have recently tested different AR jewelry apps to see if they can replace offline shopping. Here is what we’ve found:
To sum up, augmented reality apps have a lot of potential, but only if developed in the right way. This industry is still a bit rough, so if you want to create your own jewelry augmented reality app, you have a good chance of beating your competitors.
The try-before-you-buy concept has already transformed the fashion industry as well. It helps potential customers visualize themselves in new clothes, shoes, or even makeup. Look at the examples of brands like Sephora, ModiFace (cosmetics), Dior (glasses), Wanna Nails, Tenth Street Hats, and others. Their popularity has skyrocketed after introducing virtual shopping.
There are several principles fashion and beauty brands need to follow to make the AR experience flawless:
Turn shopping into an unforgettable game and promote the emotional link to your brand with the help of 3D animations and games. One of the examples is the SNKRStash app by Nike, where customers can look for hidden locations via hints in their AR app.
Brick and mortar stores can also introduce the AR experience to their customers. For example, Zara adds virtual pop-up models at their locations and Louis Vuitton has created artistic window displays with the help of AR.
The main concept of AR in any industry is to always study your customer and think ahead. Stay tuned to your market demands and surprise and entertain your customer before your competitors do the same.
We at Postindustria help you analyze your industry and target audience and bring innovations to the market. Our primary goal is to develop AR solutions not to chase the trends but to fit your specific goals. If you want to learn more about how AR can transform your business, we are here to help you.
