Above: Showpad: AR .Image Credit: Showpad
Augmented reality (AR) may not be a new medium, but with the rise of powerful mobile devices, it could be on the cusp of breaking into the mainstream.
We reported yesterday that in the first six months of 2018 the number of AR startups grew by 50 percent, while the big tech firms continue to test use cases outside of gaming. Facebook is trialing AR news feed ads, for example, while eBay is using AR to help sellers find the right box for their product. Amazon is also investing in AR, rolling out a feature that lets shoppers view a 3D virtual version of a product in their home before buying.
But while AR is gaining steam, it hasn’t quite arrived yet.
One route through which AR could continue to gain momentum is in niche pockets of the enterprise, fulfilling specific functions that would otherwise be difficult for a company to achieve. And we’re really starting to see how AR will be used to sell things.
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This week, Showpad launched an AR feature in its iOS app, one that enables users to project 3D models onto a real-world environment.
By way of a quick recap, Showpad’s software is designed to help sales people create little content silos through which they can pitch products to prospective customers. It’s essentially a fast-track way of creating a visually engaging microsite to present ideas, which can be personalized with a prospect’s own branding. The company recently raised a $25 million funding round, taking its total raised to $90 million.
Now salespeople are able to upload 3D models into the Showpad app and demonstrate how a product would look on an office or factory floor, for example. The feature, which is powered by Apple’s ARKit, is aimed at all manner of industries, from construction equipment and machinery to medical devices.
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Some estimates predict that the AR industry will be worth $83 billion by 2021 and $200 billion by 2025, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that businesses will play a big part in this growth. But it’s not just about selling things.
A few months back, Microsoft launched Remote Assist for its mixed reality headset to enable hands-free video calling, image sharing, and annotations. For example, a wearer on location could share what they see with a remote expert, who can draw a diagram on their screen to illustrate something that needs attending to.
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Above: Remote Assist
Microsoft also launched the Layout mixed reality app, which is designed to help people create physical spaces. Users can import 3D models, view designs as holograms, and collaborate in real time with anyone else, while companies can visualize rooms with specific pieces of equipment laid out virtually.
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Above: Layout
While Showpad’s new AR smarts are limited to a relatively niche enterprise segment, it is indicative of a broader trend. Prepare to receive sales pitches augmented by AR and VR.
“Our augmented reality functionality delivers the buyer experience of the future — it’s visual, interactive, and immersive,” continued Showpad cofounder and CEO Pieterjan Bouten. “We’re empowering salespeople to not only tell buyers about their products, but also to virtually engage with them for a deeper level of understanding.”
The company added that it didn’t have a timeline in place to support the same functionality on Android.
Source: Venture Beat