More and more companies are incorporating augmented reality (AR) into their businesses. In fact, research estimates that 75% of the population will be AR users by 2050. Not only has AR provided convenience to both businesses and consumers, but it has also made a more enjoyable experience for customers.
As proof of this, below are some of the top uses of AR in today’s industries:
Travel and hospitality
Airports use AR to provide a more convenient and seamless travel experience for clients and visitors alike. The Gatwick Airport has an AR app that passengers can use to navigate the airport, get flight updates, read gate information, and access check-in times. This is made possible through beacons, which are special AR technologies that use Bluetooth to communicate with smartphones.
Likewise, hotels use AR technology for various reasons, some of which are interactive hotel rooms, map features, and information access. Starwood Hotels are able to send virtual keys to guests, allowing them to unlock their doors using their phones. On the other hand, Premier Inn takes advantage of AR by installing maps in their hotel rooms that guests can point at with their phones, giving them information regarding nearby attractions.
Retail
Retail stores enhance customer experience through virtual dressing rooms, color matching, and object visualization among other features. Virtual dressing rooms allow people to try on clothing without physically having the garment. This is made possible when a webcam or phone camera scans the person’s body to make a 3D model. Customers then overlay their chosen clothing items on their model.
Dulux is a brand of paint making use of AR for people to color match their homes, for example. Their app lets potential buyers select any paint color and virtually apply it to their walls to see how it would suit the room. This feature is similar to object visualization, which is used in the IKEA Place app. This enables customers to visualize furniture or home decor in their space to decide what color or size is the best option to purchase.
Food and beverages
Another way AR is used in food is to provide additional information on its ingredients and warnings that did not fit in the packaging. Mazola Mayonnaise suggests recipes with included instructions when customers use their phones to scan its packaging.
Meanwhile, some restaurants like Niño Gordo have adapted interactive digital menus. Guests can virtually scan their menu and be able to view a 3D visualization of their dishes before ordering. Alternatively, brands also use augmented reality technology to communicate their campaigns. Nespresso made a 360° interactive experience where users learn the sustainable process that allowed the creation of their coffee.
Healthcare
AR technology in health is used to aid patients, provide directions to medical equipment, and assist during surgery. Oculenz are glasses that provide AR viewing to central vision loss patients. People with this condition lose certain parts of their vision and Oculenz, when worn, helps them see these missing spots. Another example of AR in medicine is AED4EU, an app that shows its users where automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are located. Additionally, users can also add places where they know AEDs are available.
SyncAR helps surgeons during operations by providing them with “x-ray vision” that combines digitally enhanced images into their surgical device. This enables doctors not only to see beyond the surface of their operations but also direct the best pathway to conduct the surgery.
Augmented reality continues to be utilized by companies to further their business, boost their sales, and provide a better customer experience. If you’re planning to implement an AR solution of your own, our testing services can help you get started.
