Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the biggest technological trends of the decade and will evolve as smartphones and other AR-enabled devices become more available worldwide. AR allows us to see real situations right in front of us – trees rocking in the park, dogs running behind the ball, children playing football – with a digital supplement on it. For example, a pterodactyl can land on trees, dogs can mix with their cartoon brethren, and children can fly past an alien spacecraft on their way to a scorching goal.
With the development of AR technology, these examples are not much different from what can already be available for your smartphone. Augmented reality is easily accessible and used in a variety of ways, including Snapchat lenses, apps that help find a car in congested parking, and a diversity of shopping apps that permit you to try on clothes even from home.
According to the latest report, by 2021 there will be about 1.96 billion users of mobile ARs worldwide. And by 2023, their number will expand to 2.4 billion AR customers.
The most commonly used AR is on the smartphone: users can activate this and open a camera, see the real world about them on the display, and use an AR application to advance the world in any way with digital overlays, including:
- overprinting of images, digital information, and/or 3D models
- adding real-time instructions
- inserting inscriptions
- adding color changes
- changing the user’s appearance or environment with “filters” on Instagram, Snapchat, and other applications.
Uses of Augmented Reality in Retail and Sales
Innovative trends now have a significant impact on the brand’s marketing strategy. Augmented reality has developed as an innovative mechanism that empowers brands to collaborate with purchasers on their movable devices. AR creates a new digital experience that enriches consumer-brand relationships and can be used anywhere, whether it’s a PC at home, mobile devices, or kiosks in stores.
Vendors have to depend on print promotion campaigns or other media to promote properties. Divided in the past, print, media, and retailing efforts in stores are now collected into a complete consumer experience with augmented reality.
Integration of the added reality in marketing efforts is aimed at building relations with consumers, increasing sales, and increasing the value of purchasing experience. Retailers can reach their target audience through a variety of traditional and non-traditional interactions.
- The added reality can improve navigation through the warehouse when it comes to large spaces and large quantities of items.
- Creating virtual retailers of any size allows you to be closer to customers without the cost of inventory and long queues.
- Gamification added to physical products helps attract customers to the product and works as an incentive to buy faster.
- Demonstration of the product may not have such high pressure as the pitch situation, but it is still possible to sell.
- AR-enabled store windows entertain potential buyers and make them wonder what is inside.
Uses of Augmented Reality in the Food Industry
Restaurant owners constantly try to attract their customers by offering them something innovative and memorable.
- The added reality in the food inventory business is an additional support system for companies. With AR-based special inventory management tools, staff can quickly check and update food stocks by simply scanning barcodes and inventory using an AR application.
- Many restaurants today have their AR-applications that allow customers to view menus in 3D projections. With these applications, you can quickly select your favorite dish from the menu. When a client comes to the restaurant, he can open the application and view all the menus in 3D.
- If the client wants to know more about a particular dish on the menu, he does not need to call the waiter. Instead, the client needs to open the AR application and scan the menu; The application will provide complete information about any dish. From total calorie to nutrient content, everything can be learned in just a few clicks.
Interestingly, one 2017 study showed that 73% of restaurant visitors agree that restaurant technology can improve their customer experience. So maybe it’s time to put technology into your F&B business.
Uses of Augmented Reality in Hospitality and Hotels
In recent years, augmented reality has become an important concept in the hotel business, as it allows hotels and other related businesses to improve the physical environment. Augmented reality gives the hotel business unlimited opportunities for interaction with the guests. By presenting a virtual tour of the hotel before getting a room, the customer will have a classic image and expectation in mind.
Famous hotels around the world use AR-brochures to showcase their rooms and facilities to potential guests. Guests can see their apartments and all features before reserving for vacations (i.e swimming pool, route, institution, and sports center). This will increase the satisfaction and the number of reservations, as the guest will have a better idea of what his stay will be.
- Each guest is special and should be treated with special attention. But sometimes, the hotel staff cannot always do it the way the guest wants. For this purpose, hotels use advanced AR such as Google Glass to solve this problem. Using Google Glass, employees can see important details about guests.
- Every hotel should have an application where guests can be able to get the latest information about the hotel. For example, the guest can command their cellphone in any direction within the hotel and get information about such things as service problems, cleaning updates, swimming pool or spa directions, etc.
- Each room has a map of the surrounding area. When a guest directs his smartphone to the wall, he can get information about the nearest sights. AR also helps guests find comfort easily.
Uses of Augmented Reality in Tourism and Travel
The traveling and tourist industry is a very analyzed segment. Clients of the tourism industry frequently arrange their programs by seeking views on their mobile phones. The search for data and information does not stop even after arriving at the destination. All of the information about their favorite place is collected through a mobile phone.
AR can complement the exploration activity by giving interactive and engaging news. With today’s mobile apps, these advanced features can be made available to travelers, making them easy to search for and trust.
Even the tourism specialists have estimated that with AR it is possible to create different user experiences that can be a blessing for the tourism and travel industry. When you proceed on tour to a city like London or New York, where there are countless charms, you can naturally miss an attractive site. The AR applications for tourism can allow travelers to discover more of these targets.
Nowadays, guests know where they want to go. People also search all their locations where they want to go on their smartphones. However, augmented reality can improve people’s touring movement with interactive animations, presenting them more properly. Travelers like the possibility to use exciting, easy to use and useful navigation methods.
The travel industry is the creation of exclusive experiences, and AR has the prospects to support this business sector. Technology can encourage tourism with new client service styles. It is presumed that soon AR will entirely change the business pattern of the tourism sector.
Uses of Augmented Reality in Education
AR is increasingly used in educational institutions, often to help students learn complex subjects. Another application of the augmented reality in education is the teaching of all information through virtual reality.
Although AR and similar technologies like VR are becoming increasingly popular in education, less than 10% of schools currently use AR in class, according to Project Tomorrow. Among the reasons for the slow implementation of AR in education are the following:
- Unwieldy AR equipment
- Concerns about academic value
- Lack of adequate funding
AR provides opportunities for teachers to help students learn abstract concepts. Using the interaction and experimentation that AR technology offers, teachers can improve classroom experience, teach new skills, inspire students’ minds, and engage them in learning new scientific interests.
Students’ involvement and interest increase when they can participate in the creation of educational content.
An interactive learning environment provides opportunities to implement practical approaches to learning that can increase engagement, improve the learning experience, and force students to learn and practice new skills.
Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.
