Augmented Reality (AR) is finally entering the big stage by being directly integrated into the latest Apple OS and by its promotion through the iPhone X.
After several years of experimentation, successful in the field of games, with Pokemon, Go and semi-success in marketing, with QR codes, the announcement of new development kits and the direct integration of the identification of QR codes within the camera could signal its implementation in the daily life of Apple users.

We are also seeing more and more applications being developed around AR, in fields as varied as BtoB, interior design, catering or even accessibility. And they are quite promising, enough to inspire your future projects.

Ikea: reimagine your interior

Ikea, the famous Swedish furniture manufacturer, was one of the first consumer companies to rush into the possibilities offered by iOS11 by offering its application ikea place which allows you to virtually place multiple catalog parts in your environment.
For the user, no more worries about measurements, colors, in a few clicks you can imagine your entire interior again and more chance of making a mistake by buying something that does not match your interior at all! As for UX Designers, a new field is opening up for a whole range of companies to offer new experiences: interior design, redecoration, … the possibilities are quite numerous and exciting, the only limit being our imagination.

Kabak: plan your menu

In catering, Kabak is one of the most promising applications, allowing you to view through your smartphone what your order will look like in the restaurant. For users, the gain is quite easy to imagine: we know in advance what the dish will look like, no more worries about portions and above all mouth watering through our camera.
As for the UX Designers, we can imagine restaurant hooks that would be visible directly through the camera of the passing tourist. A more phygital restaurant experience which is reported in our article on Fooding. The restaurant of tomorrow is fast approaching.

 

Redbubble: artists at your home

Redbubble, a community of artists has embarked on Augmented Reality. They have developed an application, which allows you to order thousands of works on dozens of media: from t-shirts to mugs, including cushions.
Although still limited, the application mainly allows you to test the rendering of the cushions in your interior. It promises some nice changes. Indeed, projects are in development to allow you to try directly via the application of new clothes, bed sets, etc. No more endless fittings in dull cabins!

AirMeasure: as you go

AirMeasure is quite a simple application. However, it solves an important problem of everyday life: taking measurements.
Who has never wasted a lot of time looking for a tape measure or a ruler? Now, armed with your smartphone, you can directly take the measurements and store them effortlessly. Toolboxes can continue to collect dust in the back of a closet.

TapMeasure: map your apartment

TapMeasure is another app for taking measurements easily but with a unique feature: its 3D Room Builder. In a few clicks and walking around your apartment, you very simply build a complete plan without the hassle. Farewell to graph paper and complicated plans, you become the architect in just a few nudges!
Both for TapMeasure and AirMeasure, the possibilities offered are extremely interesting, and although the user experience of the applications still leaves something to be desired (a challenge?), it is easy to imagine new applications, and why not the ability to build entirely his virtual house and to be able to walk there on a piece of land that we have just bought? And if finally all these hours spent on The Sims had not been lost in vain and could be easily sent to an architect? We are surprised to dream about the vast field of possibilities.

And that's just the beginning

Already the big players are rushing with projects like integrating augmented reality directly into Google Translate. Imagine being able to translate the whole world just by using your camera, the possibilities are endless!
Google Maps is also being updated to allow you to project your route directly in augmented reality, no need to wonder which junction of the roundabout you are supposed to take, the path will come out clearly through the eyes of your smartphone.
Players like H&M and the like are also preparing updates to their apps so you can try out their catalog from the comfort of your home, and that's just the beginning. Augmented reality promises to be extremely useful for several sectors, do not hesitate to contact our teams to help you develop your projects and join the ranks of innovators!
Simon Vandereecken, UX Evangelist @ UX Republic, @s1monvdk