Augmented reality (AR) allows users to place virtual 3D interactive elements into an actual environment, creating an immersive experience that engages users in an emotional manner. As a result of AR’s wonder-producing reactions it’s become the most wanted tool for advertisers from all walks of commerce.
Obviously, AR is also great for education & even for specific product training. For instance, a manufacturer could produce an AR “training manual”, which would allow the new owner of the product to physically engage with it to learn how to use it — particularly useful for, say, car, appliances or digital product manuals.
Several companies have truly made a name for themselves in the recent past by leveraging the technology to advertise their products in unique & memorable ways such as IKEA’s furniture advertising catalog. Naturally, this has catapulted IKEA’s sales & brand awareness.
However, for the average business, there are major obstacles in the path to launching an AR advertising campaign. Till recently, AR in advertising initiatives required the creator to build a specific app, which the target client needed to download before they could launch an AR experience. Not only did this mean only well funded businesses could use the technology & afford the AR developers required, but also resulted in slow user take-up because each brand’s app had to be retained on users’ devices.
Vossle, an AR startup believes that it is set to eliminate all obstacles businesses have when attempting to leverage AR to their advantage. By using new technology known as Web AR, it has created an Online tool that not only allows creators to develop AR experiences for their clients using a few, easy-to-understand tools, but it has created a platform that allows these clients to launch an AR experience by simply scanning a QR code or clicking on a link. The AR experience is completely browser based, & works on most mobile devices in both its versions – marker based or location based AR.
- Marker based – launched by scanning an image
- Location based – uses on device GPS to launch an experience at a given location.
Vossle claims that its tools are able to create an AR experience in 1 minute. It offers a free 30-day trial. Users need to sign up for an account, upload their 3D assets, publish their campaigns & then simple share the QR code or link via online or traditional print advertising. Vossle believes that it will be a game changer in the world of AR.
Image credit: Vossle
