First, let's clarify something. Augmented reality (AR) is often confused with virtual reality (VR). Where VR creates a completely different reality, AR adds new virtual elements to the real environment. And that's why AR is gaining popularity. For example, in the gaming world with Pokémon Go . Many Dutch people wandered through the dunes in 2016 in search of a special Pokémon. And don't forget Snapchat, with which you can spit a rainbow or transform yourself into a dog. In 2018, AR has become increasingly popular. Particularly in the world of retail. For example, wehkamp recently launched an AR function in its app .
No VR transformation but AR-tillery
AR revenue is estimated to reach $90 billion in 5 years , almost double that of VR. In that same time frame, some 3.5 billion consumers will have an AR app or AR smartglasses at their disposal. The big players are betting on AR: Apple with ARKit, Google with ARCore, Facebook with AR Studio, and soon our browsers will be AR-proof too.
Why AR beats VR? Investments. For VR, you not only need a high-quality graphics processor, but also a VR headset. VR can be used with a smartphone in a cardboard or gear VR, but the best quality is really obtained with a dedicated system such as the Oculus Rift. AR, on the other hand, is available on almost every smartphone. In addition, it works intuitively. Consumers know how to move their smartphone, unlike with VR headsets (where consumers are even afraid of motion sickness ).
Ammunition for your AR application
#1 Brand awareness and exposure
Consumers are increasingly unresponsive to traditional marketing tactics. AR offers opportunities to capture attention. Take Pepsi for example. With AR technology, they made people at a bus denmark telegram data stop believe they were looking through the glass wall of the bus shelter. In reality, they were watching a live video feed on an HD screen, to which 3D animations were then added. Tigers running loose, robots, people flying into the air on a bunch of balloons: people were open-mouthed. In just 7 days, the video had received more than 2 million views and more than 24,000 shares. Good piece of ammunition, right?
#2 Bringing shop windows to life
Bringing shop windows to life. Not only does this attract more people to the shops, the phenomenon of ' window shopping ' also gets a whole new meaning. It no longer has to stop at just looking. If you see something nice, you can buy it immediately. Convenient of course, since this also continues outside the shop's opening hours.
Also read: Virtual reality in a nutshell & what you can do with it as a marketer
Fashion chain Zara did this. They brought models in Zara outfits to life on the phone screen via the Zara app, for users who pointed their phone at the window or the sensor in the store. And of course, those shown clothes could be purchased directly online.