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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.  Virtual reality (VR) has been making headlines for ages, and the invention of standalone VR headsets like the Meta Quest 2 and HTC Vive Focus has untethered us from our clunky computers. But there’s one burning question on everyone’s mind: Why do VR apps look like they’ve time-traveled from the 90s? The culprit? Standalone headsets have to cram all their gizmos, like batteries, processors, and memory, into a fashionable face-hugger. Consequently, they can’t quite flex their graphical muscles like their desktop counterparts. These headsets come with mobile processors that, bless their hearts, try their best but can’t hold a candle to beefy desktop CPUs. Plus, limited RAM puts a damper on their dreams of breathtaking visuals. Another hiccup is that standalone VR headsets often sport lower-resolution displays, forcing developers to squeeze out every last pixel of quality. To keep things smooth and enjoyable, they might also prioritize performance and battery life over graphics, resulting in visuals that are more reminiscent of a potato than a Picasso. But fret not! There are ways to soup up VR apps for standalone headsets. Just look at Nintendo Switch games, where simplified graphics still spell success. As of December 31st, 2022, the top-selling Nintendo Switch games include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. These games prove that less can be more, even when it comes to graphics! And with WebXR technologies, developers can create virtual experiences for the web that even basic PCs can handle. Take, for example, our WebXR Las Vegas Strip app, which brings the glitz and glamour of Sin City right to your phone/PC – it’s like having your own pocket-sized Vegas vacation! As tech gets better and better, we’ll soon see standalone VR headsets with graphics capabilities that’ll knock our socks off. In the meantime, developers can jazz up their apps using the tricks up their sleeves, ensuring users have a whale of a time in the virtual realm. And hey, there’s good news on the horizon! New Qualcomm chipsets and Apple’s M3 generation promise to pack a punch, giving VR headsets the performance boost they’ve been craving. The future of VR is looking brighter by the minute, and soon we might be laughing at the days when standalone headsets struggled to bring our wildest virtual dreams to life. Image: Unsplash

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the concept of the metaverse emerged as an innovative vision of the future. With its potential to transform industries and our vision of modern technology, the metaverse has captured the interest of many innovators, entrepreneurs, developers, enthusiasts, etc. As the metaverse and conversations around the technology gain momentum, it is quite important to understand the ins and outs of this phenomenon. That is why we offer you a list of interesting books where you can discover various insights and strategies that will help to make your digital universe successful and profitable. The Metaverse Handbook: Innovating for the Internet’s Next Tectonic Shift by Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney and QuHarrison Terry The Metaverse Handbook by Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney and QuHarrison Terry explains the nature of the metaverse, its history, and successful use cases of the technology. In addition, the book also touches on aspects of NFT, Blockchain, XR, and Web 3.0. Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney is the founder and CEO of DXSH and Chief Metaverse Officer at TSX Entertainment. QuHarrison Terry is a well-known entrepreneur and author of another successful manual, The NFT Handbook. Also, his works have been translated into 9 languages and have been included in the charts of a considerable number of well-known publications, including WIRED and Forbes. The Metaverse Handbook also offers the reader new strategies and opportunities that the metaverse provides.  The book is written for professional digital developers, business leaders, and creatives who work in the field of digital technologies. The book is available on Amazon. Into the Metaverse: The Essential Guide to the Business Opportunities of the Web3 Era by Cathy Hackl Into the Metaverse: The Essential Guide to the Business Opportunities of the Web3 Era by Cathy Hackl is a guide for those who want to use the metaverse for business purposes. Cathy Hackl is a Web 3.0 futurist and strategist who works with a wide range of companies. Hackl is also the co-founder and head of the metaverse department at Journey, which works with many well-known brands. You can read more about Hackl and her achievements in our article about influential women in the field of XR. Into the Metaverse Guide describes in detail the metaverse and its importance to businesses. The book also gives insights into how you can profit by understanding the concepts behind this technology, including games, artificial intelligence, synthetic media (images, texts, videos, sounds, and other AI-generated content), and spatial computing. The book also tells how to manage the business in the metaverse, using the example of industries that have already successfully implemented this technology (fashion and marketing). The book is available on Amazon. The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything by Matthew Ball The book by Matthew Ball tells about what the metaverse is, how it arose, and describes already successful use cases of virtual networks which use the principles of the metaverse (Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft). Matthew Ball is the former head of strategy at Amazon and the author of a number of essays and books about the metaverse. In particular, the book The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything received a lot of positive reviews from professionals, including Tim Sweeney, head of Fortnite at Epic Games, and John Richitello, the head of Unity. This book is also recognized as an international bestseller in the USA, Canada, The United Kingdom, and China. This book is a collection of essays where the author provides a comprehensive explanation of the metaverse, explores the role of blockchain, Web 3.0, and NFTs, and predicts which major players will dominate the metaverse. The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything is written for professionals in the field of the metaverse and enthusiasts interested in the development of this technology. The book is available on Amazon.  Step into the Metaverse: How the Immersive Internet Will Unlock a Trillion-Dollar Social Economy by Mark van Rijmenam In Step into the Metaverse by Mark van Rijmenam offers an insightful discussion of how the modern world will gradually change with the introduction of the metaverse, as well as the challenges business leaders, customers, politicians, and those interested in the new technology will face. Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a future technology strategist, digital speaker, and founder of Datafloq, a one-stop source for big data, blockchain, and AI. The book opens a debate about the possibilities of an open and interoperable metaverse and explores the great and hidden potential of different types of entertainment in the metaverse, including music, sports, and games. The book also reveals the latest methods of how brands can interact with customers in the digital space. Another important topic that is raised in the book is the problem of security in the immersive Internet and how to deal with data leakage, impostor avatars, and adjust the rules of using the network. The book is available on Amazon.  What is the Metaverse?: The Virtual Future In A Guide and the Best Cryptocurrencies To Invest in 2022 by Peter Zakin The book What is the Metaverse? by Peter Zakin explains why the metaverse is the future of today’s technology and describes the case of Meta trying to create his own metaverse. Peter Zakin is a co-founder of Macro and an investor in Upfront Features, a company that invests in early-stage technology companies. The book What is the Metaverse? covers in detail such topics as the metaverse, NFTs, cryptocurrencies, Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, VR/AR, virtual real estate, purchasing virtual lands in the metaverse, and more. The book is available on Amazon.    The selection of books mentioned above offers a variety of thoughts, ideas, and strategies that will help the reader better understand the metaverse and its basic principles. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a developer, or simply interested in the technology, these books will provide you with the resources to deepen your understanding of the metaverse and prepare you for future work with it.

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