It’s fair to say that Augmented Reality (AR) is probably considered one of the most influential technological developments in recent history. Businesses have been trying to take any steps necessary to integrate the technology into their own brand. Specifically, the business mobile app industry has been revolutionized by the technology as they look to stand out from the rest of their competitors. In this article, we’ll look further into the impacts that it’s made in particular within the industry.
What is AR?
Augmented reality creates an environment that combines artificial technology with the real world as it integrates the two together, directly through a mobile device. It merges both the physical environment and computer-generated images together to place the user in a blurred perception of reality.
Examples of successful AR integration for brands
Many well-known brands across the world have already utilised the technology within their app development strategies to help benefit their users and increase their brand status. Here are some examples of how brands have used the technology to provide a unique experience for their users:
Audi
Automotive giant Audi has took up the technology to ensure their users can be educated and kept safe whilst they have a partnership with their cars. Opening the Audi app, drivers will be provided with plenty of data and information about their vehicles which can be useful to them if they’ve broken down or trying to purchase a new part, for example.
So, if a driver broke down and they witness a dashboard light that they’re unfamiliar with, opening the app and pointing your phone to the light will let them know what the light means. This can save plenty of time as it’ll save them flicking through the user manual instead.
IKEA
Interior design is extremely important to create your perfect home. For homeowners, IKEA created an app helps users to make purchases from their website. When a customer browses the products on the website and they’re not entirely sure it’s what they want, they’re able to place the product into the living room through the mobile app before they go to purchase it. This helps them to gain a better understanding of how it would look in their home. This can be extremely convenient for users if they’re unsure about whether to fork out for a piece of furniture.
Ray Bans
The big problem for consumers when purchasing products online is that you’re never sure whether it’ll fit properly or not. Famous optical brand Ray Bans has aimed to resolve this issue for customers through their own app. They allow users to fit on their glasses virtually before they look to purchase them. It generates a computerised image of the glasses through the mobile camera and customers are able to see how it would look and fit on their face. This can reassure them that when it arrives in the post they’ll fit perfectly and save the hassle of returning it back.
The future of mobile apps in business
The examples provided above are just some of the ways that the technology has been utilised by large brands to benefit their users. It’s provided a revolutionary way for customers to connect with brands and it’s likely even more brands will follow suit.
Whilst there have also been some failed stories related to brands using augmented reality for their business, ARkit’s are making it easier for app developers to create mobile apps for their businesses providing plenty of opportunity for mobile app growth to occur.
