Unlike VR (which completely replaces reality,) AR provides a composite of both computer-generated images and real-world views. This combo can usually be found in mobile devices as most users already own easily portable AR-capable smartphones. 토토사이트

A great example of the use of this technology is the Pokemon Go app. The combination of AR and real-world geolocation made such perfect sense that the games’ popularity boomed overnight. But is that all augmented reality can offer?

To find the answer to this question, the Cybernews crew sat down with Faisal Galaria, CEO of Blippar – a leading technology company specializing in AR.

Let’s go back to the very beginning. How did the idea of Blippar come about?

Blippar has been pioneering augmented reality creation since 2011. I first came into contact with Blippar in 2012, whilst launching Spotify in the USA. We used Blippar’s technology to provide early access to Spotify via users scanning cans of Coke. I was blown away by the instant, engaging potential of the AR experience. When the opportunity to take the lead at Blippar came up, the timing couldn’t have been better; the company was an established leader in the AR space, paving the way for accessible AR creation.

This ethos, combined with the clear market acceleration for AR, notably through the ubiquitous availability of AR-enabled smartphones, AR glasses coming down the pipeline, and the global rollout of 5G telecoms networks, made the transition very enticing.

Can you introduce us to your augmented reality solutions? What are their key features?

Blippar is leading the way for the three-dimensional digital revolution. Our SaaS tools are designed to empower everyone – from bedroom creators with no coding experience to advanced developers and brands – to create, experience, and share AR from anywhere, all accessible directly in the mobile browser with no app download required. We have two creation tools; Blippbuilder and our WebAR SDK.

Blippbuilder is our no-code, self-service, web-based AR creation tool. It’s simple drag-and-drop interface allows those with no coding, programming, or production experience to easily create augmented reality experiences.

For the more experienced creative developers, we have our WebAR SDK. Created with developers in mind, this powerful tool allows for the development of next-level engagement, immersion, and innovation that users are seeking across many use cases, including gaming, marketing, entertainment, and education.

In addition to these self-service options, we also have a fully-managed content studio to support enterprise and brand partners in creating and developing AR campaign strategies that achieve real, tangible user engagement and, ultimately, ROI.

In your opinion, which types of organizations would greatly benefit from implementing AR solutions?

The e-commerce industry is ripe for AR disruption, especially in the age of COVID. Imagine buying a ring from Tiffany’s or a jacket from the Banana Republic – if the prospective customer has the option to try these on digitally and assess their purchase in a blended reality environment, then they’re more likely to purchase the items – while also associating your brand with a memorable retail experience. In our experience, brands using AR have higher levels of engagement and can increase conversion by up to 40%.

In order to allow brands to produce AR experiences at scale in today’s all-remote and hybrid work environments, we have integrated our no-code creation tool into Microsoft Teams. Any organization currently working remotely with teams and stakeholders across different cities, countries, and continents will benefit from this solution as the integration allows for collaborative AR creation throughout every stage of the development process.

How did the recent global events affect your field of work? Were there any new features added as a result?

At Blippar, we are doing better than ever before. Not only is the evolution of our SaaS offerings and breadth of partners demonstrative of the quality of our AR platforms, but also how today’s market is becoming more receptive to the possibilities of AR creation and engagement. Recent global events have demonstrated to many brands and enterprises that combining digital and real-world experiences is necessary to engage with and maintain customers.

Over the past few months, we have added Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, or SLAM into our tools. It localizes a device within a space and then maps out of that space. This is done simultaneously via the device’s rear camera, with algorithms continuously analyzing visual data to merge physical and digital realities. For the user, visuals won’t appear floating in mid-air or be interrupted by clipping into real-life objects, making the whole experience more realistic and compelling.

By enabling developers to create richer, more engaging experiences, SLAM is crucial to the future of AR. It is also an integral stepping stone into the levels of immersion that will be needed to create the metaverse – something that has the potential to blend the real world and digital content like never before.

Working with us, technology company Oneplus became the first company to launch a new product using AR. The launch saw the CEO giving a keynote presentation to 620,000 concurrent 3D viewers, with SLAM enabling the AR technology to track motion to ensure the CEO was “anchored” to the user’s actual surroundings. The AR experience transformed the traditional convention center launch model into an impressive multi-media event, with speakers live-streamed onto a futuristic AR stage and users seeing and interacting with the new smartphone.

Where do you hope to see AR technology being used more often in the near future?

Ecommerce, as I mentioned previously, is where I think AR disruption is most necessary, but I’d also add that I believe AR has wide-reaching potential in the “How-to” or “DIY” industries. One of the trends I’ve noticed over the past couple of years has been the growth of Tik Tok as an entertainment leader, nearly supplanting YouTube’s hold on the market. However, the content that has begun dominating YouTube is “How To” and DIY videos. Especially coming out of two years where nobody wanted even service workers in their homes, doing it yourself is back in vogue, and I hope industry leaders can adopt AR.

Imagine, if you will, watching a YouTube video on how to change a spark plug in your particular vehicle and an “AR Option” is provided, allowing you to use a mobile device to actually map your own car’s engine and then visually diagnose and see step-by-step instructions on how to fix the problem, all in your field of view. Or opening a new furniture set that arrived in the mail and being able to visualize product assembly steps and instructions that are mapped perfectly to the space you’re occupying.