Creating AR Apps for Better Customer Engagement

The proliferation of Augmented Reality (AR) has enabled retailers to market their brands easily on eCommerce platforms. According to Gartner’s 2018 survey, 46 percent of retailers planned to deploy AR VR App Solutions by 2020 to meet customer service experience requirements. 

Current Augmented Reality Business Use Cases 

AR in eCommerce and Retail: Augmented reality is used as a popular brand engagement tool on various eCommerce platforms today. AR trial rooms provide comfort and convenience to customers by facilitating them to virtually try products from global retailers. It adds convenience to the customers’ shopping experience by eliminating the need to visit retail stores and buy desired products.   

Use Cases

Augmented Reality plays a significant role while trying makeup brands online. Maybelline Newyork virtual makeover makeup tool website/ app facilitates customers to virtually try everything, from mascara to eyeshadow and from foundation to lip shades. The apps save users time in deciding the right product at the right time.  

IKEA catalog is an AR retail app designed for customers to choose a suitable furniture piece for their interiors. 

According to Gartner’s research by 2020, 100 million customers will shop in AR online and in-store.  In April 2018, Zara replaced its in-store mannequins and window displays with models and product demonstrations that can be experienced through the Zara AR app. Customers were encouraged to try this technology and shop the look in AR. Models brought spring fashion to life by strutting through Zara’s window displays and aisles.  The AR technology was successful in convincing customers to take an immediate purchase decision. 

AR-Aided Education: AR has enabled the education sector to produce and deliver interactive content for learners. Through augmented reality educators can improve learners’ cognitive development. 

Use Cases

Google Sky Map, a free AR app makes learning astronomy interesting and fun. Simply by pointing the camera anywhere in the sky learners can identify stars and constellations. 

Elements 4D,  a DAQRI produced AR educational app enables students to observe chemistry in action combining different 3D denoting chemical elements. Students can virtually combine different elements on this AR app to identify their reactions.   The app uses assembled square blocks and printouts to trigger images for an AR experience. The website comes with interactive lesson plans with 4D elements for different age groups. 

Augmented Healthcare: The healthcare sector has increased the use of augmented reality for training medical students and performing procedures.  

Use Case

Anatomy 4D, a healthcare AR app is designed to train medical students. The app takes students inside a human body, heart, and organs. Through this app, students can explore skeleton, body systems, muscles with a higher level of interaction.  Students can enter virtual operation theatres and gain immersive experience. Interactive study materials result in more in-depth and profound knowledge acquisition.  

Sports Apps: Cricketers practice a lot before a match with the opposition. AR apps can contribute a lot to augment cricketers’ practice sessions. The app can provide a ball trajectory and speed right on the field through statistics.

Potential of Augmented Reality for New Businesses 

• AR for Plan Sharing. Building Conversation is an AR app available for iPhone and Ipad users. The app enables architects, real-estate developers, and municipal governments to modify their project and share it with the clients for effective immediate decisions. 
• AR takes over mobile. AR glasses and goggles are expensive and comparatively less in use. But acceptance for smartphones has been there for ages. Asus partnered with Google to develop its first-ever smartphone using Tango and Daydream named ZenFone AR. 
• 3D printing. Augmented Reality app developers can use AR technology to create interactive 3D models. 3D Doodler, a pen that creates 3D content in augmented reality space.

AR Tools we use for Developing AR Apps 

Our AR app developement services at Oodles carefully select the Software Development Kit (SDK) depending on their client’s project requirements. We have delivered AR apps using SparkAR, ViewAR, EasyAR and more. We have discussed SparkAR SDK in our blog post:  Enhancing Consumer Apps with Spark AR. 

Today we will we discuss EasyAR 

Easy AR SDK 3.0 is one of the most famous SDKs of today for AR development. 

Supports platforms: Android, UWP, Unity Editor and iOS. 

Price: EasyAR SDK basic version is available for free, EasyAR SDK Pro?$499.00/License Key, free upgrade within a major version.

Programming languages: C/C++17/traditional C++ API, Java/Kotlin API for Android, Swift/Objective-C API for iOS, Unity 3D Support

Features Available: Video Playback Using H.264 Hardware Decoding, Planar Image Tracking, Multiple targets detecting and tracking, Cloud recognition support, SLAM (surface tracking), Android ARM64 Support, 3D Object Tracking, Screen Recording

Are you planning to expand your eCommerce businesses with AR apps? Contact Oodles technologies, a leading AR VR App development company that designs and delivers AR apps for businesses across the globe. We use Vuforia, SparkAR, ViewAR, Wikitude and other platforms based on your project requirements. Contact us for AR app development solutions today!