During the time of using VR and AR in the spheres of gaming, digital marketing and training, a large number of examples of the implementation of these technologies have accumulated. We have prepared 10 successful cases of how the development of augmented and virtual reality applications has impacted business processes.
What is AR and VR: Let’s understand the terminology
- Augmented Reality is how AR stands for Augmented Reality technology. In this case, information from text to computer-generated layered graphics is projected onto objects in the real world. Smartphones, special glasses, projectors and other devices are used for this purpose.
- Virtual Reality – a transcription of the acronym VR – is a technology that creates a completely virtual plane for presenting information. For this purpose, special devices – such as glasses, for example, are also used for complete immersion in the virtual world.
Both technologies give the user a new level of immersion in the product on offer. It’s a way for companies to expand their customer base and increase brand loyalty. For the user, a chance to have a new experience.
What’s the difference between AR and VR?
Virtual reality and augmented reality are seemingly synonymous concepts. However, VR interacts with the user by creating new worlds for them, while AR interacts with the outside world by augmenting it with new elements.
For example, the popular 2016-2017 game Pokemon GO is a successful example of using augmented reality. In the game, the Pokémon to be caught are organically embedded in the environment. According to August 2019 data, the game’s installs have passed 1,000,000,000,000,000.
Today, AR and VR glasses are featured in the product lines of Google, Samsung, and other companies. And while in the early years such a novelty was considered a luxury, today the market value of a device for immersion in AR and VR does not exceed the cost of a smartphone.
Where augmented and virtual reality is used
The scope of AR and VR applications is broad, and only getting broader every year. Gaming businesses, advertising agencies, educational platforms, and even religious organizations have all already adopted both technologies.
They may be used for the following purposes:
- Presentation of new products. VR and AR applications are used to present new products. These technologies offer such opportunities:
- Showing a 3D model of the product.
- Virtual demonstration of product features.
- Engaging the audience in the presentation or event
- Scope of Education. In education, VR and AR simulators have proven to be an effective tool. The human brain best remembers and assimilates information that is presented in a playful manner. This is particularly true for children’s perception. With VR and AR, the qualityand impact of the educational program is taken to a new level. These technologies are already being used by the world’s leading universities and schools, allowing pupils and students to view 3D models of atoms and chemical elements, and to gain knowledge in an interactive way.
- Scope of entertainment. The gaming and entertainment industry has maximized the potential of augmented and virtual reality. There is already a separate class of games designed for special glasses that provide complete immersion in a new world. This list includes gaming bestsellers:
- Minecraft
- Alien: Isolation.
- Total War series of games
- Rainbow Six: Siege and The Division
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- And others.
The advantage is immersive gameplay achieved through realistic visuals, 360 view and game control with special joysticks that mimic hand movements. The person feels like a character in the game.
Read also about how to create a profitable app in our article.
- Project Visualization. VR and AR are indispensable tools when it comes to visualizing 3D projects. For example, it is convenient to use augmented reality to present projects of construction companies. Buyers of apartments in the LCD at the construction stage will see the future result realistically, and wearing special glasses – even “walk” around the future housing. This kind of visualization can increase sales – after all, people only truly believe what they see. However, construction isn’t the only area where virtual technology is part of the marketing strategy.
- Virtual avatars. Virtual avatars are used in virtual networks and allow for realistic interactions. It can be either a game avatar or an avatar of social networks, where communication is initially based on augmented and virtual reality technology.
In addition, augmented and virtual reality technologies are paving the way for new opportunities in advertising and content consumer interaction. The effect of presence makes a strong impression on a person and motivates to action more than a banner ad or advertising slogan.
Moreover, VR and AR have already started to be used in the experimental treatment of mental disorders – with the help of these developments doctors help people cope with phobias and post-traumatic stress.
VR applications: best cases
In the case of virtual reality, there are many impressive examples.
- Fortnite. The first successful case study is DJ Marshmello’s concert in the game Fortnite, which took place in 2019. As a result, 10 million people were able to attend the virtual concert, which lasted about 10 minutes, from the comfort of their own homes.
- Thomas Cook. The Thomas Cook travel company offers customers a virtual tour using a virtual reality application that allows them to evaluate the benefits of their upcoming trip:
- Jaguar. Jaguar went even further: to select candidates for engineering and programming positions, they developed a series of virtual reality quests. Recruitment specialists use them to determine whether a person has a set of skills and qualities necessary for a vacant position.
- NASA is using virtual reality to train future astronauts. The simulators created using VR allow to achieve the effect of presence and help a person to prepare for a flight into space. Among other things, there’s a simulator for walking on the surface of Mars. It helps astronauts get used to the sight of the red planet.
- SnowWorld
Virtual reality has found applications in medicine as well. For example, the SnowWorld game is designed specifically for burn patients, and as a result, it helps distract the person from the pain. According to the study, patients estimated a 20% reduction in pain levels.
Examples of well-known AR applications
Familiar examples of AR use are global giants Snapchat and Instagram. Both apps are among the most installed apps on smartphones in the last 3 years. Both apps are social media apps whose functionality is related to processing and publishing photos.
- Snapchat. In 2018, the company announced its intention to launch a search service for favorite products using augmented reality. The platform is based on finding items scanned with a smartphone camera in stores. The project was planned to collaborate with Amazon. As a result, this feature was launched in September 2018:
- Instagram. The popular masks on Instagram are nothing but an augmented reality tool. They help even out skin tone, change the color scheme of a picture, and even add new details to the world around you. It looks like this:
Masks are used for retouching storis and live shows. According to statistics, more than 500 million people view an Instagram storyist every day. Using branded masks will help attract new customers.
- “The world is waiting to open.” There are also examples of using augmented reality on the Ukrainian market. For example, a children’s game from the TV channel PLUSPLUS, released in 2019. “Svit chekayet na vidkryttya” is a successful case study of using AR to teach preschool children. The app has already been installed by more than 1,000 people.
- Lorca from Silpo. Silpo store chain is not lagging behind in this respect: having launched a campaign with “Llorka” cards, they have developed an augmented reality application. It brings the funny creatures on the cards to life. The app has already been installed by more than 100 thousand people.
- IKEA. The IKEA Place store app is also a successful example of using augmented reality. You can use it to “try on” your new furniture. By pointing to the place where the new item is expected to stand, you can see if it will fit in or not. The app has already been installed by over 1,000,000 people.
Why is it worth ordering AR and VR application development?
The considered cases clearly show what tasks can be realized using VR and AR technologies. If you want to create competitive advertising campaigns, effectively present new products and attract new customers or create a cool game, you can order AR application development in KOLORO agency. We offer services to create a product from scratch – from competitor research to testing and further promotion.
We can also help you develop a corporate brand and marketing strategy. You can order AR and VR development by contacting us by phone:
+38 (044) 223 51 20
