Am I dreaming or is it really reality? Many people ask themselves this question when they experience AR (augmented reality) live for the first time. It is also really impressive when the product can not only be viewed in 3D on the screen, because that alone is already very appealing for most of us, no, now the product is suddenly on my desk! I can walk around the product with my cell phone in my hand and view it from all sides. An experience that is gladly shared.
What are the advantages of augmented reality in B2B or B2C?
Digital visualizations not only make processes and workflows more efficient, but also significantly improve human collaboration.
- Visualize virtual objects anywhere in the world, directly at the customer’s premises or at the company’s various locations
- walk around or into 3D models
- Inspect details at close range and from all angles
- visualize and compare different states and variants of a model
- Giving feedback
Whether globally distributed teams or protracted crises such as the current coronavirus pandemic: if face-to-face coordination is not possible, the product launch on the market can be delayed or associated with higher risks. Augmented reality offers a practical and efficient solution here, allowing all project participants to interact with the product via a smart device, regardless of their location. Within reach – AR.
Marketing and sales with augmented reality
AR technologies give potential customers a much better idea of the finished product and its integration into the environment, especially for complex designs or large systems in the industrial sector. As practical tools for presentations and sales measures, augmented reality applications thus realize an efficient exchange. The time factor must also be taken into account. Marketing and sales can often only begin once a finished product is available. With AR and 3D, it is now possible to present the product virtually even before it is actually finished. This is an incredible time advantage that no company wants to change after initial trials.
e-commerce with augmented reality
Whether in B2B or even more so in B2C e-commerce. Customers want to see the products in the best possible way. 3D views, also as a supplement to images and 360-degree product photos, enable the best possible and most future-oriented view of products of all kinds. There are many examples. One of the best to understand is AR in the area of furniture and sofas. With an AR function, the furniture can be placed virtually in the home using a cell phone and viewed from all sides. Does the size and color fit? Do I like the sofa there? Furnishing your home has never been easier. Retailers who present their products with augmented reality will enjoy a strong competitive advantage.
Google started including the first 3D augmented reality views of products in search results in Germany in 2020.
