AR is a key element of the metaverse, and it has been around for a while now. So, what are the best Augmented Reality (AR) based projects and experiences developed until 2023? At Takeaway Reality we are experts at creating AR projects so we are always very happy to see and recognize others doing great work in the industry.
Gartner defines Augmented Reality as
Augmented reality(AR) is the real-time use of information in the form of text, graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with real-world objects. It is this "real world" element that differentiates AR from virtual reality. AR integrates and adds value to the user's interaction with the real world, versus a simulation.
So, now that we have defined what AR is, we can jump into some of the more interesting experiences that can give you an insight into what you and your business can create in AR as well as some cool AR apps that you can use.
These experiences are in no particular order as they serve different use-cases and are all a great example of how to create something that can provide a lot of value to the end users.
Pokémon Go is a mobile game that allows players to catch and battle virtual creatures called Pokémon in the real world. The game uses the GPS and camera of the player's device to show a map of their surroundings and overlay Pokémon on it. Players can explore different locations to find different types of Pokémon, and use items such as Poke Balls to capture them. Captured Pokémon can be used to fight other players in gyms, which are landmarks that can be controlled by one of three teams: Instinct, Mystic, or Valor. Players can also join raids, which are cooperative battles against powerful Pokémon that require multiple players to defeat. Pokémon Go is a fun and immersive way to experience the Pokémon universe and interact with other players.
The game was released in 2016 and became a global phenomenon, generating billions of dollars in revenue for its developer Niantic and its partner Nintendo. According to Sensor Tower, a market research firm, Pokémon Go has surpassed $6 billion in lifetime player spending as of November 2020, making it one of the most successful mobile games ever. The game has also attracted over a billion downloads and has an active user base of over 150 million players. Pokémon Go's business results are driven by its innovative gameplay, loyal fan base, frequent updates, and partnerships with various brands and organizations.
IKEA Place is an app that allows customers to virtually place IKEA products in their own homes using augmented reality (AR). The app helps customers to visualize how the products would fit and look in their space, and to make more informed and confident purchase decisions. IKEA Place also provides product information, such as dimensions, colors, and prices, and links to the IKEA website for online ordering.
IKEA Place has been a successful app for IKEA, as it has increased customer engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty. According to a case study by Google, IKEA Place has been downloaded over 12 million times since its launch in 2017, and has generated over 2.3 billion product views. The app has also improved the conversion rate of online sales by 11%, and reduced the return rate by 22%. Moreover, the app has enhanced the brand image of IKEA as an innovative and customer-centric company, and has received positive feedback from users and media outlets.
AR is not just very useful in marketing and gaming. There is an incredible potential for using Augmented Reality in the medical industry as well. In 2021, Takeaway Reality worked with Medartis to create an app that merged gamification with Augmented Reality. In this app, users can get to understand the complex products produced by Medartis, view them in AR and then combine them with the use cases in which they could be used. This combination of factors resulted in an experience that could be used in multiple different applications, with Medartis including it both for training and marketing purposes.
Ingress Prime is a massively multiplayer augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic, the same company behind the popular game Pokémon Go. The game was first released in2012, and was later rebranded as Ingress Prime in 2018. The game uses real-world maps and GPS to create a virtual battle for control of real-world landmarks and locations.
In the game, players are divided into two teams, the "Resistance" and the "Enlightened", and the goal is to capture and control "portals" located at real-world landmarks such as statues, monuments, and public art. Players can hack portals to gain valuable resources, build virtual links between portals to establish control over territory, and deploy virtual items called resonators to reinforce the portals they control.
Ingress Prime is a unique and interesting game that combines elements of augmented reality and location-based gaming, giving players an exciting new way to explore the world around them. The game encourages players to explore real-world locations and provides an extra layer of interactivity by including virtual elements to the real-world landmarks and locations. Players can also interact with each other, playing the game in the same physical location and forming teams to strategize and work together to capture portals. It's an innovative way to bring players out of their homes and into the real-world for an augmented reality adventure, giving it a unique sense of immersivity and community-building aspect. This popular mobile game shows the potential of creative storytelling through Augmented Reality and has a large user base. It uses real-world maps and GPS to create a virtual battle for control of real-world landmarks and locations.
Probably the most famous use case of AR today is to use it with Instagram filters. Instagram uses AR to enable users to add real-time effects to their selfies and photos. This can include things like virtual makeup, hats, and 3D stickers.
Instagram filters are created through a platform called Spark AR.
SparkAR is a platform created by Facebook that allows developers and creators to build augmented reality (AR) experiences for use on Facebook and Instagram. With Spark AR, users can create a wide range of effects, such as face filters, world effects, and 3D animations, and then publish them to the Spark AR Library
At TAR, we have created a variety of Instagram filters, such as our Instagram filters for the Montreal Canadiens that we have created in collaboration with Ford. Also, we have created a fan filter to support the Croatian national team during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In2019, Nike created an app that lets users virtually try on shoes. The app can measure each foot individually —the size, shape, and volume — with accuracy within 2 millimetres and then suggest the specific size of Nike shoe for the style that you’re looking at. This use case has seen wide adoption by users and is incredibly useful when buying shoes that you might want to wear. In addition to the size of the shoes themselves, the actual designs and colors are very well-represented and might help you find the shoe that is perfect for you. It is truly an innovative step toward the metaverse for Nike which has invested heavily in the space in the last few years.
The Ford Bronco AR app is one of the best examples of using AR to promote products.
People are quite proud of their cars, this is why the web AR experience that we have developed with Edmonton Oilers that visualized the beautiful Ford Bronco in Oilers colors was quite a success. Users were incentivized to share a picture of the Ford Bronco on their driveway. The experience allowed users to visualize the Bronco in any space and size wherever they wanted using just a mobile browser and their phone camera. The experience proved to be incredibly fun for users as Oilers fans were quite excited to share the Bronco on their social media. A great factor that served the app well for marketing was the low friction that occurred due to the infrastructure of the app, which was created using the 8th wall platform and the only thing users needed was a link or a QR code.
Online fashion retailer, ASOS has an AR feature on its mobile app, where customers can view an item of clothing on a virtual model, providing a better sense of how it might look and fit on them.
The ASOS mobile app allows customers to view an item of clothing on a virtual model, providing a better sense of how it might look and fit on them. This is done by using the customer's own body measurements to create a virtual model that is unique teach individual. This feature makes it easier for customers to envision how a particular item of clothing might look on them, before making a purchase. Additionally, the company uses AR technology to create virtual fitting rooms, where customers can try on clothes virtually, before making a purchase.
ASOS's use of AR technology Isan example of how retailers are using new technologies to improve the customer experience. Not only it is convenient but also it could save a lot of hassle and returns as the customer can make a well-informed purchase decision. AR technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we shop, and ASOS is one of the first retailers to take advantage of this technology. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more retailers using AR in their mobile apps to enhance the customer experience and make it easier for customers to find clothes that fit them
The Lowe's mobile app has an AR feature that allows customers to virtually test paint colors, flooring, and other home improvement products in their own homes before making a purchase. This feature uses the customer's mobile device camera to superimpose the product onto their own space, so they can see how it would look in their room and match it with their furniture before they make a purchase. This eliminates the need to physically visit the store or purchase samples, making the shopping experience more convenient and efficient for the customer.
Lowe's use of AR technology is not only great for customers, but also it can save resources and costs for the company as they don't have to physically keep all the samples of the products, and also returns can be reduced as the customer can have a good idea of how the product would look in the intended space. This is a good example of how a company can use new technologies to improve the customer experience and make it more efficient for the customer. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more and more retailers using AR in their mobile apps, in order to enhance the customer experience and improve the way we shop.
The McDonald's Happy Meal project called "Happy Studio" is an example of how a company can use augmented reality (AR) in a unique and engaging way. In 2018, McDonald's used AR in their Happy Meal boxes to create a game that could be played on the box itself. The campaign was aimed at getting children to engage more with the Happy Meal and to promote the game, they offered in-game rewards such as exclusive toys.
The game, called "Happy Studio," uses an app to scan the Happy Meal box and the game would appear on the screen, where children could play various mini-games and interact with characters. The games and experiences varied, like colouring the characters, feeding them, and playing mini-games. By using AR, McDonald's was able to create an interactive and engaging experience for children, and it also provided a new way for children to engage with their food and the brand.
The campaign was well received, generating buzz and positive feedback, and it was a great example of how accompany can use AR technology to create an interactive and engaging experience for customers. The project is the perfect demonstration of how a brand can use AR to create a new level of engagement and excitement for their target audience. It also showcased how AR technology can be used in packaging and product design in a unique way. It’s a very clever way to repurpose another wise disposable item, while giving the product and brand a memorable experience.
The AR market is experiencing high year-on-year growth and 2023 might just be the year when it goes mainstream. The rumours regarding big companies such as apple releasing AR glasses are getting louder and louder. Once this occurs it will open various doors for AR technology use cases.
