How Augmented Reality And Virtual Reality Are Shaping Brand Engagement In 2021

The global pandemic has changed everyone’s lives upside down. The year 2021 brings a sense of innovation and change that’s particularly apparent in the world of visual technology. 

Organizations ubiquitously are investing in new technologies to facilitate networks and connections to keep their customers as safe as possible. From remote technical support to online learning, people are now learning to overcome and acclimate to the constraints of lockdown regulations, work from home, and social distancing. 

By implementing AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) systems, organizations can revolutionize how they operate. According to Intrado, the world’s largest research store, the market value of augmented reality and virtual reality systems is set to reach $97 billion by 2025. 

What Is Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)?

VR and AR are rapidly changing the way we experience media, games, and even social interaction. A few years ago, VR was mostly limited to the realm of video games, but it’s quickly becoming much more than that. And AR is becoming more than just a fun gimmick that lets you put silly hats on your friends. Both have become new, viable ways to explore, learn, and create.

Though some people confuse the two, AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) are actually very different technologies. While both aim to enhance your experience of the world around you, VR aims to create an immersive world that feels real, while AR overlays digital elements or images over your real-world view.

Virtual reality is a visual technology that completely immerses users in an artificial, 3D world. Though VR has been a staple of the technology world for decades, it has recently made a comeback as both software and hardware developers have created more sophisticated VR systems, like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. Augmented reality, on the other hand, is a visual technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on top of a user’s view of the real world. 

AR and VR Will Allow To Track Eye Movement and Gestures

In the upcoming times, the Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality solutions will be able to trace and monitor facial gestures, expressions, and eye movements while users relish the technology. These tech products can be used in a lot of ways. Realistically recreating the facial expressions of a user in various realities would be the most creative one. 

Some other usage of AR and VR might include tracking for productivity, privacy and security, well-being, and power and performance. For instance, tracking eye movements of students studying remotely or checking the attention of employees during a meeting. 

Brands Are Using Augmented Reality To Change Customer Shopping Experiences

AR is revolutionizing the world of shopping, and retailers are looking to make a sale, but in a new and more entertaining way. A lot of brands are adopting smartphone-based AR systems to provide the customers with information about the specifications, origins, and costs of the products. This has reduced the need for physical showroom visits. Also, it is a handy tool for companies to reach customers via mobile apps rather than the traditional ways. It is a great solution for both customers and retailers especially during the lockdown situation when all stores are closed.

For instance, the furniture retailer’s app, Ikea Place, enables customers to virtually place furniture into their space to determine how things might look once assembled. Another brand that has implemented a smartphone-based AR system is Sephora. Here, its Virtual Artist feature enables consumers to check how some beauty products might look on their faces. 

When The Physical and Digital World Collides

At present, more and more businesses are trying to find simple, sustainable, and affordable ways to adopt these digital changes and innovations to stay pertinent in a soon-to-be post-pandemic world. So, make your organization one of them and achieve success.

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