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Today, artificial intelligence is a driving force that transforms and facilitates a whole range of fields: from creating texts and images to improving the performance of entire applications. Moreover, AI is becoming an essential element in developing virtual and augmented reality. Artificial intelligence has already become an assistant for developers of such companies as Magic Leap, Unity, and others. In this article, you will learn more about the solutions and benefits that AI brings to the development of extended reality. AI and XR: Perfect Fusion for Immersive Experiences Companies involved in the development of extended reality applications can use artificial intelligence for various purposes. Here are some ways in which AI can be applied. Personalized Realities: Power of AI in Customizing XR Experiences AI can analyze data on the behavior and preferences of VR users to offer more personalized and immersive content. For example, AI can customize the virtual environment to a user’s individual needs, as well as suggest content or interactive elements that may be of interest to a user. Enhancing Interactions: AI’s Role in Developing XR Assistants AI can be used to develop virtual reality agents with advanced intelligence. These agents can interact with users, answer questions, provide information, and create more realistic scenarios. The use of AI makes it possible to create agents that can adapt to the user’s actions and demonstrate intellectual behavior. Magic Leap has already successfully implemented artificial intelligence to provide better and more realistic XR experiences to improve human interaction. They are already using AI algorithms to develop digital models in AR, one of which is the MICA hyperrealistic human. Using these AI algorithms, the creators managed to give their digital model eye movements, facial expressions, and behavior that are as close as possible to a living person. “AI components were added to track a user and look them in the eye. Additional AI elements were added for body language and posture. Our team focused on natural facial expressions, we wanted MICA to emote in believable ways,” said John Monos, vice president of Human-Centered AI at Magic Leap. Power of AI in Analytics and Development AI can analyze the collected data while using virtual reality applications to identify patterns, trends, and problems. This information can be used to improve the development process and optimize the user experience. For example, AI can help identify the most popular features or discover bottlenecks in an application that need optimization. Alex Volkov, Qualium Systems head of XR development, wrote an article about AI implementation in game development and how it optimizes and speeds up the work of a game developer, using ChatGPT as an example. “In fact, it can save up to 60–70% of the time required for task implementation. Being a professional developer, I knew how to implement a task from scratch, but still needed to write each line of code, optimize it, and debug it. However, with ChatGPT, I managed to save a lot of time on the first point and focus on the last two points,” said Volkov.  You can read the full article about game development using AI here.   Rise of AI in XR: Enhancing Content Analytics and Recognition AI can be used to recognize and analyze content in virtual reality. For example, AI can automatically analyze video and audio materials, detect objects or events in VR scenes, and also provide speech recognition and natural language processing functions. AI-Enhanced XR: Revolutionizing Safety and Management Practices AI can help manage and secure the virtual space. For example, artificial intelligence can control and optimize resources, manage virtual objects, and keep users safe by preventing unwanted situations or interactions. For example, Unity is working on developing its own AI algorithm for honing the work of 3D models. “Unity enables the real-time training of models based on unique datasets produced in the creation and operation of RT3D experiences. Through this training, we can build ever-richer services on top of Unity and provide extraordinary capabilities for our partners to leverage Unity as a data creation, simulation, and training engine for their own needs. Natural-language AI models incorporated into the Unity Editor and runtime train on real code and images. That real-usage training data is abstracted from its initial use (it’s not captured or recorded as-is), however, this learning enables Unity’s customers to substantially increase their productivity,” said a blog post.   These are only a few examples of how XR companies can use artificial intelligence. The application of AI depends on the specific needs and goals of the company, as well as on available technologies and resources. Image: Unsplash.

In the age of digital technologies, augmented reality is gradually changing the way children learn about their environment, develop their thinking, and acquire new skills. With the help of digital models superimposed on the real world, the learning process for preschool and elementary school students turns into an exciting experience. After all, it has been proven that a gamified approach increases concentration and the effectiveness of a child’s learning. As for adults, 67% of students said that gamified learning is more motivating and engaging than traditional classroom learning methods. If adults like gamification and modern technologies, children will be even more interested in augmented reality experiences. What are the ways of encouraging children to study? In this article, you will learn more about successful use cases in the field of children’s educational content, as well as the main advantages of AR in the industry. Designing Interactive and Educational AR Experiences for Children There are several important factors to consider when developing an AR application for children. Oleksandr Ivanov, Qualium Systems Project Manager, shared his thoughts on the key factors you should pay attention to, including Ease of use: Make sure the app is easy for kids to use, and has an intuitive and simple interface. Safety: Ensure the development of a safe environment where the child can use the application without the risk of harming themselves. Learning aspect: Make the app educational and interesting, providing opportunities for children to learn new things and develop skills. Visual effects: Use bright colors, attractive graphics, and realistic AR elements to engage and engage children. AR Education for Young Minds: Advantages of Augmented Reality in Learning Publishers of children’s books and developers of educational toys are increasingly paying attention to augmented reality because it offers them a number of advantages, including Active and playful learning process. Augmented reality contributes to the fact that a child actively participates in the study of a particular subject. Instead of passively listening to a lecture during class or reading books with schematic pictures, a schoolchild or kindergarten student can independently touch and modify digital 3D objects. In addition, with the help of AR, reading a book can be turned into an interesting experience of communication with animated digital characters. The ability to show abstract concepts to a child. Augmented reality allows you to visualize those concepts that are usually quite hard to explain for educators. After seeing an AR installation of a certain phenomenon, the child will have a clearer understanding of the subject. Thus, the kid begins to perceive educational material more easily. An increased concentration on the educational process. Gamified learning provides a child with a much easier and simpler way to concentrate on learning. AR itself is a new and exciting experience, and playing with digital objects can be not only entertaining but also educational. Engagement in modern technologies. Zoomers and Gen Alpha children are among those who use portable gadgets the most. 79% of Zoomers (13-20 years old) said that they cannot live without smartphones. Taking into account further trends in technological development, children born, for example, in the second half of the 2010s, are much more open to technical innovations than their parents. Increased child’s creative thinking. Playing with AR objects and changing their external characteristics, kids also develop their imagination and artistic thinking. For example, AR coloring books can help with it. Spotlight on the Most Successful Augmented Reality Experiences FastAR Adventures: Exploring the Exciting World of Augmented Reality Learning for Children The Ukrainian company FastAR has developed a whole series of educational books and educational board games with augmented reality. Among the range of their products, we can find alphabets and textbooks on mathematics, as well as manuals on the study of space, the human body, animals, including dinosaurs, etc. For example, this video shows how to use the digital alphabet: point your smartphone camera at the pages of the textbook, and each illustration on the page begins to “come to life” with the AR: both each letter of the Ukrainian alphabet and the characters associated with it. Arloon Plants AR App Takes Children on a Virtual Journey Arloon Plants is an AR smartphone app that helps kids learn about plants. The application itself has several sections: plant structure; the process of plant development (including blooming and reproduction); seasons;  exercises and tests; a garden where the child can learn about different types of bushes, flowers, and trees; houseplant care rules. In the last chapter, the child learns how to properly “water” a virtual flower and observes how it grows. This feature is also available in augmented reality, where a digital plant is superimposed on the real world. A child can also take a picture of the AR flower to capture its progress. Applaidu by Kinder: Elevating Children’s Learning Applaidu is an edutainment app by Kinder for children aged 4-9 years. This game includes mini-games, an option to create your own book and other features for child development. Smartphone and tablet users can access Applaidu in the following way: each Kinder Surprise and Kinder Joy toy comes with an instruction with a QR code that gives access to download this free application. The app also includes an augmented reality option, where by scanning a Kinder toy, you can activate a digital animal that can be controlled using voice commands. In the game, you can also create your own virtual character or use a ready-made one. Disney’s AR Coloring Book Transforms Children’s Art into a Magical Journey With augmented reality, classic coloring books can be turned into an exciting immersive experience that develops the child’s artistic skills and inspires further creativity. That’s why Disney released an AR coloring book, in which children can not only paint cartoon characters but also “animate” them. To begin with, you need to download the smartphone application for the book. Then, this app uses the smartphone camera, which is directed to Disney coloring pages. Next, a child, with the help of parents or friends, paints a 2D…

Learn more about extended reality with our selection of books for developers, students, enthusiasts, and those interested in modern technologies. Our selection touches on various aspects of the development of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, as well as their application areas, and highlights the work experience of specialists who worked with various XR programs and apps. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, these XR books will give you more theory and practical use cases that will provide you with new knowledge, skills, and inspiration for your future work. The VR Book: Human-Centered Design for Virtual Reality by Jason Jerald Jason Jerald’s book covers how to create VR experiences with user-centered design. Dr. Jerald is the Co-founder and Principal Consultant of NextGen Interactions, which develops VR content. Creating such experiences is quite a difficult task. And quite often the reasons for the failure of VR programs and applications are not the limitations of the technology itself, but a poor understanding of a user perceiving and interacting with this technology. This book provides useful tips on how to improve your virtual application and make it more user-friendly. A reader will find out more about how to make their experience more intuitive and the causes of motion sickness in virtual reality. This book is intended for VR designers, programmers, engineers, students, teachers, and other professionals who work in the field of immersive technologies. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/VR-Book-Human-Centered-Virtual-Reality/dp/1970001127  Augmented Human: How Technology is Shaping the New Reality by Helen Papagiannis The book by Dr. Helen Papagiannis covers the essence of augmented reality, the possibilities of this technology, in which direction AR can evolve, and how augmented reality is already changing our interaction with modern technologies in various areas of life. Dr. Helen Papagiannis is a leading expert in the world of augmented reality and the founder of XR Goes Pop. You can read more about her and other outstanding women in XR here.  In the book, a reader will also learn about the technical features of AR-friendly gadgets, new approaches to storytelling in augmented reality, how our doppelgangers can learn the behavior of the original physical object and much more. The Augmented Human Guide is intended for designers, developers, students, business leaders, artists, educators, and anyone who is just curious about AR. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Augmented-Human-Technology-Shaping-Reality/dp/1491928328  Creating Augmented and Virtual Realities: Theory and Practice for Next-Generation Spatial Computing by Erin Pangilinan, et al. In this book, Erin Pangillian, along with Steve Lukas and Vasanth Mohan, evaluate the development of virtual and augmented reality and offer advice on how to improve the skills of designing XR experiences. Pangillian is an entrepreneur, computer designer, software developer, and author of her own blog. Steve Lukas is the director of product management in Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s XR business group. Vasanth Mohan is the founder of FusedVR and the VR developer of the Nanodegree Course. The book by the aforementioned developers offers readers instructions and techniques on how to create convenient and practical applications, and these instructions are supported by theoretical material and examples of successful use cases. The authors also interviewed other experienced developers in the industry, such as Timoni West, Vice President, Virtual and Augmented Reality at Unity, Victor Prisacariu, Professor of Information Engineering at the University of Oxford, and Nicolas Meuleau, Director of Game AI at Unity. Creating Augmented and Virtual Realities is for designers, artists, and developers working with ARKit, ARCore, spatial maps, and cross-platform applications for virtual reality headsets. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Augmented-Virtual-Realities-Next-Generation/dp/1492044199  Augmented Reality: Principles and Practice by Dieter Schmalstieg and Tobias Hollerer The book by Dieter Schmalstieg and Tobias Hollerer tells in detail about augmented reality technology and how AR changes the human perception of modern technologies. Dieter Schmalstieg is an Austrian computer scientist, professor, and head of the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision at Graz University of Technology. Tobias Hollerer is a professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Schmalstieg and Hollerer’s book describes in detail augmented reality from a technological perspective, revealing the nuances of developing AR applications, from types of displays and trackers to building and interacting with 3D objects. This book is intended for developers, students, engineers, researchers, and those interested in the development of augmented reality. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Augmented-Reality-Principles-Practice-Usability/dp/0321883578  Performing Mixed Reality by Steve Benford and Gabriella Giannachi In this book, Steve Benford and Gabriella Giannachi explore the topic of mixed reality as a tool for live performance enhancement. Benford is a Professor of Collaborative Computing in the School of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham. Giannachi is a Professor of Performance and New Media and Director of the Center for Intermedia at the University of Exeter. Performing Mixed Reality highlights the topics of how immersive technologies are transforming the theater. In the book, the authors describe the theory and practical use cases of using mixed reality for live performances, drawing on work and research carried out in the Mixed Reality Laboratory at the University of Nottingham. The book also includes interviews with lab researchers and artists. These insights give a reader a more comprehensive understanding of how to implement MR. The book was originally published in August 2011, but the most recent reissue came out last November. Book Authority listed it as one of the top XR books to read in 2023. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Performing-Mixed-Reality-Steve-Benford/dp/0262546507    The books mentioned in this article will give you a deeper understanding of the vast potential of extended reality that is currently changing our world. You can also discover new techniques and practical skills to make your applications more efficient and convenient for customers. So, start reading and explore the limitless world of XR, where you are sure to find something for yourself. Image: Unsplash.

Extended reality is a technology that is already revolutionizing and improving the automotive industry. With augmented and virtual reality brands can facilitate car design and manufacturing processes and improve interaction with customers who buy cars. No wonder, XR has been successfully implemented by famous brands, like Audi, Toyota, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, etc. Exploring XR Technology Benefits Brands are increasingly paying attention to extended reality in automotive industry due to its number of benefits, including Facilitating car design and prototyping process. Using XR, engineers and designers can project new car designs in a more convenient and sophisticated way. In VR/AR, automotive workers can consider potential design flaws and car behavior on the road in the early stages of production. Projecting new cars in XR allows companies to save money and time. Improving shopping experience. Virtual showrooms and test drives are convenient solutions for your customers, since they don’t have to spend their time reaching an actual showroom to buy a physical car. VR showrooms also allow brands to keep physical items in good condition without any concerns about damage while customers test virtual cars. Reducing Environmental Impact. Immersive technologies are an ecologic solution for automotive brands. Using virtual showrooms and test-driving, the number of fumes that pollute the air is reduced. According to the research, 60% of automotive brands have an ecologic strategy called “Mission Zero”, that targets improving their cars as much as possible: zero accidents, zero injuries, zero emissions, and zero unplanned stops to provide additional services. And extended reality allows companies to optimize the car designing process without unnecessary money costs and harmful emissions.  Enhancing employee training. Immersive technology training has long been proven to be an effective and engaging way to improve the skills of a company’s employees. For example, virtual reality allows you to recreate a workplace using photorealistic graphics, sounds, and even senses, provided by body trackers. Augmented reality gamifies the real workplace, turning standard training into a more interesting gaming experience. Virtual reality for training is also used in manufacturing.You can read more about successful cases here. Improving communication between employees. Using immersive technologies, employees of the same car company in different parts of the world can meet in the same digital space and discuss the technical nuances of car models. For example, Mercedes-Benz introduced remote technical support for workers in mixed reality through Microsoft Hololens 2 called Dynamics 365 Remote Assist. With the help of communication in MR, a Mercedes-Benz service center car mechanic can solve a complex problem with a car without leaving their workplace and receive qualified assistance from the brand’s service center. Putting on Microsoft Hololens 2, a mechanic sees in front of them both a digital screen with an expert and virtual instructions that are superimposed on a real car engine or other parts of the car. The main purpose of introducing this remote support is to improve the efficiency of mechanics, speed up the problem-resolution process, and reduce costs and environmental damage due to trips related to vehicle repairs. How Automakers Use XR to Sell More Cars Explore Your Dream Car in Virtual Reality High-quality virtual showrooms allow customers in VR glasses to see and try a digital model of the car before purchase. In addition, in such showrooms, there is an opportunity to customize the car to your own tastes and preferences. Audi has released a virtual showroom that allows customers in VR headsets to view a virtual car before buying a real one. In this VR experience, a customer has access to such options as a virtual test drive, customization of the model (changing the color of the body, the design of the wheels, etc.), checking the engine and interior, etc. Audi also placed their virtual car on the surface of the moon to convey a certain mood of the model and attract the customer. This video shows an example of how a customer checks a virtual Audi model in a specially designated room. From Concept to Reality: The Role of XR in Car Design Virtual reality allows you to project a new car design in a more detailed and sophisticated way. Instead of constantly using classic 2D sketches, designers create a new car model in VR with a clearer understanding of how the final product will look in reality. Designing a new car model is better in virtual reality thanks to photorealistic graphics and the ability to peel off and examine the details of the car’s design in maximum detail. For example, the automotive brand McLaren is already actively using VR to design new racing cars. With this technology, designers draw lines in VR directly on a 3D model using controllers, and there is also an option to switch between 2D and 3D modes. “As a designer, you are thinking, how does it translate? But now, because we accelerated that process of “sketches straight into 3D”, it’s been much quicker, far more efficient. It still takes the craftsmanship of the drawn lines, you can capture that subtlety of line, then you can tweak it and affect it, and really tune that volume. Because for us, proportion is king,” said Rob Melville, design director at McLaren Automotive. XR in Automotive: Game-Changer for Employee Training Augmented reality allows automotive factory workers to produce new cars faster and more efficiently with digital training and instructions. For example, Toyota introduced Dynamics 365 AR training for its employees based on Hololens 2 MR glasses. Using these glasses, the employees of Toyota manufacture hone their own skills and gain new knowledge in a specially designated room. Working with models, for example, of an engine or a car door in the MR glasses, they receive tasks and instructions on how to perform these tasks. “Augmented reality and the ability to provide additional information to an engineer or a team member on the shop floor, while they are doing their job, stands to have a huge potential impact. We launch a new model every three years, our team members have to re-learn or…

This article was written by our CEO Olga Kryvchenko and originally published on Linkedin. To get more biweekly updates about extended reality, subscribe to Olga’s XR Frontiers LinkedIn newsletter.  Picture yourself trying on a fabulous pair of shoes, testing out a trendy new hairstyle, or zipping through a gigantic mall without breaking a sweat, all from the comfort of your own home! With the magic of Augmented Reality (AR) and WebXR, shoppers and shop owners are about to embark on an exciting escapade into the future of shopping. But before we plunge into this virtual wonderland, let’s take a playful peek at the current state of AR and WebXR technologies and how they are shaping the future of retail. A Whirlwind Tour of AR and WebXR Technologies for Shopper Experience: AR fitting apps: Apps like Wanna Kicks by Wannaby and the IKEA Place app allow customers to virtually try on shoes or place furniture in their homes, providing a more satisfying shopping experience and reducing returns. Loreal Groups provides Makeup Virtual Try-on Maybelline, which makes online makeup shopping more convenient. AR scanning apps: Google Lens enable users to identify products, read labels, and gather detailed information, making product searches and comparisons a breeze. AR maps and wayfinding apps: The Aisle411 app helps customers navigate the maze of large shopping malls by providing indoor maps and turn-by-turn directions. AR menus and loyalty programs: KabaQ is an app that showcases 3D models of menu items, while Snatch, an AR-based loyalty program, allows users to hunt for virtual prizes, rewards, and discounts. AR Entertainment Extravaganza: The Leo AR app delivers an array of captivating games and virtual experiences to be enjoyed in shopping centers and other public spaces. The Exciting State of AR and WebXR in Shopping: Good news! The cost of developing AR and WebXR solutions is on the decline, thanks to the availability of pre-built solutions, plugins, and libraries. A treasure trove of resources with 3D assets is already available for use or customization in AR shopping apps. Loads of talented companies can whip up custom 3D models to bring products to life in AR. Plus, businesses can purchase or lease 3D scanners to help digitize their products for AR integration. And, to top it all off, many existing apps are ready and waiting for easy integration with AR and WebXR technologies. Embracing AR and WebXR technologies can have a positive impact on the environment, helping to create a more sustainable shopping experience. By allowing customers to virtually try on products or see how items would look in their homes, these technologies can significantly reduce the need for returns. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in packaging waste and transportation emissions associated with shipping products back and forth. For example, ASOS, an online fashion retailer, implemented a virtual fitting room feature called “See My Fit”, which allows customers to see how clothing items would look on different body types, reducing the likelihood of returns. Similarly, the IKEA Place app enables users to visualize furniture items in their homes before making a purchase, helping to minimize unnecessary returns and their environmental impact. By integrating AR and WebXR technologies into the shopping experience, businesses can contribute to a more eco-friendly retail landscape while still delivering a satisfying customer experience. As AR and WebXR technologies continue to advance, they hold immense potential to revolutionize the online shopping experience even further. One exciting development is the creation of virtual showrooms, where customers can explore a 3D representation of a physical store and interact with products in a more immersive manner. This could transform the way consumers shop online, making it feel more like an in-person experience. For example, Shopify has introduced 3D modeling and AR solutions that enable merchants to showcase their products in 3D, allowing customers to examine items from every angle and visualize them in real-world environments. Another promising direction is the personalization of shopping experiences using AR and WebXR. By combining these technologies with artificial intelligence and customer data, retailers can offer tailored recommendations, virtual styling assistance, and customized product presentations. For instance, the Sephora Virtual Artist app utilizes AR to allow users to virtually try on makeup products and receive personalized recommendations based on their facial features and preferences. Moreover, AR and WebXR can be integrated with social media platforms to create shared shopping experiences, allowing users to virtually shop together, seek opinions from friends, and even attend live virtual events, such as fashion shows or product launches. This would further blur the line between e-commerce and social media, making online shopping a more interactive and engaging experience. But, as with any great adventure, there are a few hiccups to keep in mind. Size measurement in AR apps can be a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, iOS devices boast impressive measurement accuracy thanks to LiDAR technology. However, Android devices have yet to achieve the same level of precision, leaving room for improvement. Not all devices support AR capabilities, so only devices with ARCore or ARKit can join in on the fun. Outdoor GPS accuracy can be a bit of a challenge for AR guide apps. And using AR and WebXR apps may require a little extra setup, support, and maintenance, which could bump up marketing budgets. However, with technology continually evolving, these limitations are expected to fade away, paving the way for a seamless and delightful AR shopping experience. A spectacular shopping spree of the future is just around the corner, with fully immersive AR experiences waiting for shoppers and shop owners alike. By embracing these cutting-edge technologies, businesses can elevate their customers’ shopping adventures to thrilling new heights. So, hold onto your hats, folks, because the astonishing and transformative shopping extravaganza is about to begin! Image: Pixabay

Brands are gradually paying attention to WebAR, an immersive technology that provides companies with new ways to encourage audiences to buy their product. Using WebAR, you can develop advertisements or digital catalogs, where you can observe an item from all angles and try its digital version on yourself or your own environment. Moreover, WebAR solves issues of customers who order an item online and don’t fully realize whether this item suits them or not. And, according to statistics, 91% of online customers bought items that didn’t fit them. Learn more about WebAR technology, its principles of work, and the most successful use cases in our new article.  Technical Characteristics of WebAR for E-commerce WebAR is an in-browser augmented reality that can be used on a smartphone, tablet, PC, or another device. Access to AR through a browser is perfect for e-commerce, allowing brands to provide their customers with instant access to digital content. And customers themselves don’t have to wait till a mobile app with immersive digital content is downloaded on a device. In one of the precious articles, we explained in more detail the main difference between native XR apps and WebXR.  Key Principles of WebAR in E-commerce  WebAR uses gadgets and sensors to activate digital content that is superimposed on a real environment. Immersive AR content here means interactive digital 3D models, (both static and dynamic), with audio and video content, text information, etc. For different business purposes, WebAR has, at least, 5 different types of functionality: Target recognition. It’s a feature that allows AR apps to detect and track 2D images, which activate augmented reality content. This function is available for both regular 2D pictures and QR codes. Target recognition is available for Android (Chrome web browser) and iOS. Target capture. A function that allows WebAR apps to track and augment 2D objects, captured by the user (business cards, stickers, etc). This function works both on Android (Chrome web browser) and iOS. Face recognition. A technology, that detects face surface and mimics. This feature superimposes immersive 3D content on a face to synchronize it with mimics. Face recognition is available for Android (Chrome web browser) and iOS. Surface recognition. A technology that detects flat surfaces (walls, floor, ground, table surface, etc) and places 3D objects on them. There’s also an option of using a device as a controller to move the AR object around. Unfortunately, surface recognition isn’t available for iOS. AR geolocation. This technology places digital objects, using geolocation markers or location tracking. As a rule, AR geolocation is used for augmented reality maps, AR navigators, and Pokemon Go-like games. This function isn’t available for iOS. Advantages of WebAR in E-commerce How WebAR is Changing the Way We Shop Online WebAR allows users to activate virtual try on, which gives them the possibility to check out a digital version of an item before purchase. According to Vertebrae, 57.15% of customers said they’d like to place such items like furniture, appliances, and home decor in their environment before buying. Almost 34% of respondents said they would like to test digital clothes, shoes, and accessories before the purchase. And WebAR allows them to do it. Role of WebAR in E-commerce Interaction WebAR greatly improves customer interaction experience thanks to the opportunity to directly observe and try digital items. One of the ways to enhance customers’ shopping experience are interactive catalogs on the brand’s websites. These catalogs allow customers to observe 3D models of different items and place them on themselves or their environment before the purchase. This function is mostly used by brands for selling: cosmetics (virtual makeup); clothes, shoes, and accessories (virtual try-on);  furniture and home decor (WebAR experiences that superimpose digital furniture in a real room). How WebAR is Driving Business Income in E-commerce Based on a previous point, the possibility to test an item’s digital version before buying increases a company’s income. In Q1 of 2020, French company L’Oreal increased its income by 20% with virtual makeup.  How WebAR is Increasing Audience Engagement in E-commerce WebAR in e-commerce provides a specific way to engage customers. According to Accenture research, 50% of customers said they would turn to brands that implement immersive interactive technologies regularly, and 47% of respondents said they felt more connected with a proposed product by using immersive technologies. Here, you can read more about the advantages of augmented reality in advertisement and how it enhances customer experience.  Examples of Brands Using WebAR in E-commerce WebAR Fashion Experiences By Gucci Famous Italian brand Gucci, in collaboration with ІТ company Kivisense, developed a WebAR try-on, which allows customers to wear digital sneakers. The experience is activated with a QR code on the brand’s official site, and a customer can not just check out digital sneakers, but also take a photo with them and share it on social media. This WebAR experience uses foot tracking technology that helps a digital sneaker to realistically “fit” on a foot. AI automatically calculates a foot size, so virtual sneakers would look right on a user’s feet.  Along with Kivisense, the brand also developed a WebAR installation which represents a Gucci perfume Flora Gorgeous Gardenia. Using a smartphone screen, a potential customer places a digital model of a perfume bottle in a real environment. A user opens a perfume cap, and then virtual pink and blue flower petals are getting out of the bottle. Capturing the perfume mood is the main purpose of this WebAR experience. Try Before You Buy: L’Oreal’s WebAR Virtual Makeup Experience French cosmetics brand L’Oreal developed virtual makeup to help their customers choose decorative cosmetics on Amazon site. This WebAR experience tracks head movement and face mimics.  This experience is also developed by Modiface, which is considered to be one of the top augmented reality developers. The virtual makeup for L’Oreal is enhanced by AI, which provides photorealistic graphics and calibration of virtual cosmetics shades on a customer’s face.  A similar function is available on a Maybelline cosmetics site.  Revolutionize Your Home Decor with…

Today, virtual reality technology is in active development and has already found its application in different fields, from manufacturing to healthcare. Meanwhile, VR solution development requires the presence of a professional team of specialists, that not every company can afford to hire.  In this case, outsourcing the development process to another company is a more convenient solution. In this article, we’ll highlight the key advantages of VR outsourcing and why it’s becoming more popular in business. Flexible and Cost-Effective: How VR Outsourcing Can Transform Your Business One of the most important reasons why companies use outsourcing services is to save money on personnel, additional equipment, and software. Thus, your enterprise can use outsourcing company experience and resources and pay only for required services. It also provides businesses with additional flexibility by allowing them to adjust the scale of VR projects according to their specific needs. Thanks to outsourcing, your company’s employees can concentrate on their main duties. Meanwhile, outsourced developers can perform their VR-development-related work. Moreover, VR outsourcing gives companies access to the latest virtual reality trends and news. How VR Outsourcing Connects Your Business with Top VR Experts By transferring the VR program development process to an outsourcing company, you get access to a team of developers that specialize in different aspects of VR app design. Moreover, this team has the needed experience, knowledge, and technologies to manage the entire cycle of your project development, including 3D modeling, programming, UI/UX design, etc. Also, when you involve a bigger number of specialists with the required skills, you can release an effective final VR product faster and more economically.  Faster Product Launch and Innovative Ideas With VR Outsourcing  Outsourcing companies have access to virtual reality innovations and solutions allowing them to release your product on time. That means a possibility to schedule your product release on market and get ahead of your competitors.    From Risky to Reliable: Benefits of VR Outsourcing for Your Business Outsourcing companies know the most common mistakes to avoid and how to reduce development risks. Moreover, by collaborating with clients from different fields, they can provide high-quality service and innovative solutions, that correspond to the standards of a certain field.  All-Inclusive VR Outsourcing: How VR Studio Can Provide Your Business with Comprehensive Support Providing technical support, regular updates, and bug fixes are important factors, which may tip the balance in favor of outsourcing. And this factor ensures the smooth and efficient work of your VR solution. Moreover, it allows companies to concentrate on their main duties, leaving technical nuances of virtual reality development to experts. Outsourcing offers companies numerous advantages for their development and design of VR apps. When transferring VR app development authorities to outsource company, your enterprise will get a qualified team of specialists, who can produce an efficient product quickly and accurately. If you consider VR outsourcing, make sure that the company you choose is a reliable and worthy one with the required experience and a positive reputation. Image: Freepik

Virtual reality is gradually becoming more widespread in many fields, including music. With its help, newcomers learn how to play musical instruments in a more exciting and immersive environment, that facilitates the learning process. Students can acquire a certain musical instrument in virtual reality since VR is not just about fancy environments. Some apps allow a headset user to use real musical instruments, with digital clues overlaid on them. Seeing these clues, a student masters their skills much faster.  This article aims to showcase in detail various virtual solutions that facilitate music learning. Experience the Future of Music Education  In general, there are two types of VR music apps: games and learning apps. VR music games involve a headset user performing rhythmic tasks to the music. Beat Saber is a bright example of this game. While playing Beat Saber, a user hits digital cubes with lightsabers to the music. Meanwhile, virtual reality learning apps are developed for newcomers who plan to learn to play real musical instruments. The basic principle of VR music apps for learning is it’s interactive experience, where a student uses hand gestures and controllers to press virtual piano keys, pluck digital guitar strings, or beat virtual drums with digital sticks. Take Your Music to Next Level  Experience the Joy of Piano Playing  In a VR piano app, a VR headset user plays on a virtual or physical instrument, with digital clues are overlaid on it. These clues tell a student what piano key they should press on. VR-XR Piano App by ArtMaster allows a newcomer to learn how to play the piano in an unusual set. In the program, you can also choose a location that fits your mood: an opera, Moon surface, cliff, etc. There’s also a selection of songs and compositions to play and the option that allows you to adjust a composition’s speed and the length of notes. Moreover, this program also involves a physical piano, thus creating an additional immersion effect and facilitating the learning process. We at Qualium Systems are also developing a VR piano app. In this app, a VR headset user gets transferred into a virtual music hall with a digital piano. Similar to the previous use case, playing music on virtual piano keys requires the use of hands. The app also includes three levels of learning: easy, medium, and hard. The playlist of our future VR piano app includes both classic and modern songs. Enhance Your Drumming Skills  When dealing with VR drums, a headset user can apply controllers to use a digital stick to beat virtual drums and recreate movements while playing the real drums. Smash Drums is an example of a virtual reality app designed to teach how to play drums. It’s suitable for both newcomers and professional musicians. With a VR headset, users can try their hand at drumming on various difficulty levels, ranging from easy to challenging. A few months ago, the app got an update that includes an additional, highly challenging level that realistically recreates the movements of a drummer. Step Up Your Guitar Game  Virtual programs for learning how to play the guitar involve controller-free hands to pull digital guitar strings. Unplugged for Oculus Quest is an example of an app that uses similar principles. By the way, Tetiana, the Ukrainian host of Disco VR YouTube channel, attempted to play Unplugged, using a real electric guitar. Guitar Strummer is another use case, where a headset user can learn how to play the acoustic guitar. There are two ways to create, learn, and play new chords:  choosing notes that look like virtual balls and playing them with a drummer stick choosing a chord and playing with hands. In this app, you can create and save your own chords. After every play, a program estimates your playing chord performance.  Transforming Music Education: Advantages of VR Technology in Music Learning Virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular in music education due to its numerous advantages for learners, such as A personalized learning experience for musicians. Students can develop their skills in a digital environment that is suitable for them and isolates them from various distractions. Moreover, virtual clues are overlaid directly on a real instrument and allow a student to master a played composition. Virtual apps also provide a user with the possibility to choose the speed and note length of a composition. Compactness and constant access. Virtual instruments help you save some space in your home and play a musical instrument virtually at any suitable time. Only you can hear the music. Your neighbors won’t complain about music being too loud when you learn how to play piano or another musical instrument. Inspiring virtual environment. Sometimes, when a musician plays an instrument, they can find themselves in a not-so-supportive environment with a lot of distractions. Wearing a virtual reality headset, a musician can choose the most comfortable and inspiring place to learn music. Virtual reality has become a convenient tool for learning music by offering a convenient and personalized experience of mastering musical instruments, such as guitar, piano, drums, etc. These apps enhance users’ music skills and improve their performance in an exciting and inspiring digital environment. 

Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes digital 3D content in the real world. You can watch it using smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, and other devices. Digital objects are activated with markers (QR codes, images, physical objects, etc), beacons, GPS trackers, digital compasses, and so on. Today, this technology is actively applied by marketers, as it helps to evoke emotional feedback from users of the product. For example, fans can get partially immersed in a setting of their favorite TV show, and online customers can see the chosen item and try it on themselves. As the number of modern technology users continues to rise, so does the popularity of AR. Statista predicts that the number of AR technology users will be increased to 1.75 billion by 2024. In today’s article, we’ll highlight the definition of AR advertising, its types, and some of the most successful use cases by various brands, like Snapchat, Disney, Netflix, Lacoste, and more. Augmented Reality Advertising: Future of Marketing is Here AR advertisement is about using augmented reality for brand or product promotion.  You can read more about the basic principles of AR in our article about the difference between augmented and mixed reality.  Interactive AR Ads: Engage Your Customers in a Whole New Way Augmented reality can be applied for different types of advertisements, including  outdoor advertisements;  printed ads;  advertisements on packages;  promo campaigns for movies and TV;  virtual try on.  AR Advertising Goes Outdoors: Engaging Customers in Streets  As a rule,  AR advertising is used for street campaigns: billboards and city lights with digital element activation markers for smartphones or tablets.  Pepsi Max’s Bus Shelter is an example of an outdoor AR advertisement. It’s a bus stop with a built-in screen that demonstrates various AR scenes. While people wait for a bus, they see digital meteorites, alien ships, or underground monsters, that are superimposed on a real street in the UK.  City Painter by Snapchat is another example of outdoor AR advertisement. Unlike the previous case, this app is developed for smartphones. A mobile device user “colors” city streets with digital paint. Using a smartphone screen, you can see the results of both your work and those of other “artists”. Print Comes to Life: Augmented Reality Advertising on Your Merchandise This type of augmented reality advertisement is activated by markers, like QR codes and images, placed on printed promo products: posters, flyers, business cards, booklets, magazines, etc. For example, the Net-a-Porter fashion brand augmented their PORTER paper magazine issue with AR illustrations that are activated by smartphones right on the magazine pages. With augmented reality, PORTER readers discover exclusive content and the possibility to order a chosen item from magazine pages through a smartphone. This issue of the magazine was developed in collaboration with The UK IT company blippAR.  A similar function is also available for National Geographic printed magazine. Using a smartphone, a reader unlocks different 3D objects and animations on magazine pages. Unboxing Your Brand: Augmented Reality Ads on Product Packages In this case, a product package isn’t just called to protect from outside influence. With augmented reality, a colorful and original package can be even more attractive for customers with the help of an AR experience. Pizza Hut Pac-man AR Game is a bright example of an AR package advertisement. Every pizza package contains a marker that activates a classic video game Pac-man. But now it’s in augmented reality. Usually, for AR package ads developers implement WebXR technology, the one we discussed in our previous article.  Experience Your Favorite Shows and Movies in a New Way with AR Ads Augmented reality promo campaigns made for smartphones are drawing the attention of your movie or TV show’s potential audience. A movie-based AR experience makes users mentally closer to their favorite movie heroes and attached to a movie or TV show.  A bright example of the use of an AR smartphone app to promote the movie/TV series is The Mandalorian AR Marketing Campaign. It’s an AR program that activates a digital model of the Mandalorian himself and Baby Yoda while recreating some scenes from the show. The convenience of this AR experience is that users can unlock it while sitting on the couch at home. The Mandalorian AR Marketing Campaign was developed by Disney, in collaboration with  Google,  as a part of a promo campaign for the second season of “Star Wars: The Mandalorian”. Another famous case of implementing AR for TV shows promotion is a campaign for the third season of Stranger Things by Netflix. It’s a collaboration of the Netflix project with the popular newspaper, The New York Times. A user had a chance to unlock AR content with the 1980s images on newspaper pages, using a smartphone. These images are Starcourt Mall ads. It’s a fictional mall, where a part of the season three plot is happening. It’s not the first time that Stranger Things promoters use immersive technologies for the show’s promo campaign. During the first season premiere, Netflix presented a VR experience on YouTube with fans being allowed to observe the main location of the season.  Try Before You Buy: Augmented Reality Virtual Try-On  AR try-on scans the human body and allows a customer to try on digital items.  One of the most interesting use cases of implementing augmented reality for try-on is the one presented by Lacoste. In this program, a smartphone user sees both the digital model of a sneaker on their foot and a 3D installation that outlines a style of a certain shoe model. In our article, you can read more about the technology of virtual try-on and its influence on modern retail.  Transform Your Business with Augmented Reality Marketing Today, modern brands pay more attention to augmented reality as a marketing tool for a few reasons, including Improving brands and customer interaction.  Using augmented reality for promotion, you make your brand and products more available for modern gadget users. Nowadays, there are over 6 billion smartphone users around the world, and it’s…