The definition of augmented reality has been evolving since the genesis of the technology itself. Here is our take on the notion in the early 2020s:
Augmented Reality [AR] is the technology in the spectrum of mixed reality that enables layering of virtual objects onto real life, usually through the screen of a mobile phone or tablet. In the reality-virtuality continuum, AR lies in between the real environment and Augmented Virtuality (AV) or Virtual Reality (VR).
Uses of AR:
Augmented reality applications are diverse from industry to industry. Here are a few top uses that have found their manifestation in existing solutions:
- Education (anatomy learning for medical students)
- Fashion (AR mirrors, Try-on apps, Runway shows)
- Retail (Packaging solutions, try-before-you-buy, virtual fitting rooms)
- Healthcare (Billing concierge, symptom description by patients, AR turmoil models for surgeons, etc.)
- Entertainment
- Military training (Tactical AR – TAR)
- Mockup creation in interior design
The technology used for Augmented Reality Development:
Now that we clarified the meaning of augmented reality, let’s check out a few crazy cool video examples of how some of these AR ideas were implemented in real life.
Examples of Augmented Reality from various industries
Chevron Bumper to Bumper App
Chevron created a “Bumper of Bumper” AR app to showcase how its proprietary products extended the life of a vehicle and its moving parts under the hood.
The application allowed users to get a peek under the hood of the displayed automobiles so they could discover the benefits of using Chevron products.
Medical Education from Project Esper
Learning anatomy is the fundamental piece of knowledge of medical science that every medical student spends weeks mastering.
Mixed reality is there to help those overworked med students.
Check out how Project Esper used AR technology to help future doctors imagine and memorize the location of organs and bones in the human body, their functions, and more information about them.
Jeld-Wen AR Showroom
Jeld Wen wanted to give its newly opened headquarters a contemporary look, as well as help their clients shop among a wide assortment of their door and window offerings.
This is why the company commissioned the development of an AR solution to showcase their product. This mobile app allows customers to change the color and design of the products, bridging the gap between online and offline shopping. This app is particularly useful because the bulkiness of the objects being sold would otherwise require lots of space to exhibit.
Once users decide on the style, color, and size, they can mark favorites and send the chosen models to their email for reference.
Patient’s Concierge AR App by Avadyne Health
Healthcare is the one industry that actively uses Augmented layers on reality and found so many applications for this trending technology.
Healthcare bills can be so confusing, so Avadyne Health has created this AR concierge, that can explain every line of information on a healthcare bill and provide a step-by-step algorithm for patients to settle it. This medical billing tool helps the financial company stand out from its competition through this innovative approach.
BMW i Visualizer
This AR-based technology allows users to configure car models to their liking in terms of parts, colors, interior, and exterior solutions.
Once you are happy with all the color choices, wheels, and interior design, you can switch on the light and turn on the radio too.
Why not?
AR for a car insurance company
When stressed after a traffic collision, people are likely to experience lowered cognitive abilities and the last thing they want to do is to find words for the endless paperwork that is needed for an insurance company.
This is why a mobile app was developed to ease this complex process during times of utter stress and heightened emotions.
The app allows its users to select a part of the vehicle, take a picture of the damaged area, and describe it. Meanwhile, the system helps its users by providing the choice of descriptive words and conditions suitable for this or that breakage. For example, if you point the camera onto a window, you are going to be prompted to use “broken or cracked,” “gauged or flat” for a tire, etc.
McDonald’s World Cup AR Campaign
McDonald’s is one of those brands that need not push much – or at all – for brand recognition. But situational marketing is still huge with fast food brands.
The World Cup is one of those occasions that attracts lots of attention for a few reasons: it’s rare – only once every 4 years; and it’s packed with overflowing emotions that a huge part of the world shares and relates to for years to come. It’s as divisive as it has the power to unite.
As for the McDonalds Gol campaign, the brand created an AR app for limited edition packaging: McDonald’s Fry Boxes.
Apart from sustaining the image of a company that paces its timelines shoulder-to-shoulder with technological evolution, McDonald’s also helped create the spirit of the global event, due to its global presence.
Yorkshire Tree AR Campaign by Yorkshire Tea
Yorkshire Tea, one of the most popular traditional tea brands chose tree planting as its means to give back.
The company has planted millions of trees in the UK and Kenya as part of its tree planting pledge.
But to get even more people onboard and generate more awareness of the campaign, they created augmented reality apps that tell this wonderful story:
AR for Packaging: The Glenlivet Code
Do you have what it takes to discover the taste of true Scottish whiskey?
Glenlivet offers its fans a gamified application that challenges buyers to guess the notes of the aromas of the specific bottle in a box. Just by pointing a mobile app and scanning a packaging through an app, users get access to a decoder, where they can mark their estimates of different flavors, like chocolate, caramel fig, vanilla, and guess each one’s intensity.
Hedonistic pleasures are often associated with deep knowledge about this subject too, so developing olfactory skills is a much-required function among whiskey connoisseurs.
Try-On Augmented reality solution by Gucci
Examples of augmented reality applications are scattered throughout high fashion generously.
But the most frequent use is the use of AR technology for try-on function. Check out how Gucci’s App is used to try on the sneakers without ever so much as seeing them physically, let alone putting them on your feet.
As more and more brands adopt this feature, the tech itself matures to offer more options too. Users may choose colors, get the right size, order from an app, or add to favorites.
Three UK launches 5G with AR Runway show at London Fashion Week
Three, one of the leading UK mobile services providers, presented to the world one of the best-augmented reality innovations in 2020.
A Vogue cover girl, Adwoa Aboah, was transformed into a digital 3D video to walk the runway of the London fashion week on the Central St. Martin’s catwalk.
This multi-sensory show was intended to demonstrate the possibilities of 5G network technology, which is capable of bringing the AR catwalk video to hundreds of locations the world over on the same night.
The audience received this novel performance with thrills and enthusiasm, while Adwoa Aboah in the flesh and blood was among the audience members watching her digital self walking the catwalk on her smartphone.
Augmented Reality Mirrors: Handy For trying on makeup during COVID
Augmented reality mirrors have been helping customers try on new clothing without ever entering the changing booth. With a few simple gestures of a hand, a customer may flick through the clothing and pick the item to try on digitally.
While the fit is still not as perfect as a real-life fitting, customers can appreciate whether the color suits them and generally have fun with such an interactive mirror.
AR mirrors also help bridge the gap between online and offline shopping, introducing a bit of much-loved screen time into otherwise static offline shopping.
Many cosmetic companies have adopted AR to simulate trying makeup on. With COVID risks, it is dangerous to use samples of makeup, so the mirrors are even more appreciated.
Ladies can take a snapshot of their face to allow the AI to start offering colors and brands that would complement their complexion.
While the technology is relatively new, it’s been picked up by bigger retail brands to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping and to elevate the image of the brand to the heights of cutting-edge-tech-adopters.
Healthcare, military, construction, and entertainment sectors also jumped on the train of early adopters and keep benefiting from this emerging tech.
Mixed reality is going to blur the lines between virtuality and reality more every day at a lower cost with more technical solutions and talent available for augmented reality development every day.
While it’s more of a status symbol in retail, for now, the industry is developing more practical applications with time and maturation of this mixed reality technology.
Interested in AR development services? Talk to Zoolatech Team
Zoolatech is a software development company that specializes in eCommerce software development and is versed in catering to the retail industry in general.
Have an idea in mind that involves one of the mixed reality techs? Looking for a consultation on the topic? Need a developer with a specific skill set? Drop us a line and we’ll provide our best offer cut to your requirements.