Augmented reality is one of the fastest-growing technologies in conjunction with smartphones at the moment. It is an interactive experience on your handset of the real-world environment around you. By using the smartphone camera, the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by cleverly computer-generated perceptual information.
AR Apps
This is done across multiple sensory platforms such as visual and audio and offers users a truly immersive experience. One of the most talked-about apps that use augmented reality is Pokemon Go!, which has changed the way mobile gaming has developed. The advantage and popularity of augmented reality mean that many other industries have also adopted this type of technology. This is true for interior design.
Shopping
IKEA in conjunction with their catalogue and store app has recently introduced an app called IKEA Place. The app allows customers to see how an item of furniture would look in the space they are considering. The great thing about the app is once the users are happy with the item they can then go ahead and purchase it straight from the app. The app also works great for IKEA as not only can users use the app in their own homes they can also use them in-store to see other products that are available, and that might not be on display due to limited display space.
For example, customers will be able to point their smartphone devices at sofas with their augmented IKEA app open to see the range of colours and materials the sofa is available in. The IKEA Place app also lets users virtually place furniture in their homes via a 3D model, which is true to scale. This will boost Ikea’s profit as showrooms and displays demonstrate to customers how items and furniture can be placed to make them look appealing.
Image Source: iTunes
Furniture
Augmented reality is not only helpful and slightly futuristic, but it also helps customer save time and money concerning decorating spaces. This is because now users can see exactly what they are buying and how it will look in the area you intend it for. This saves customers trips to the store and instead allows them to make decisions from their smartphones in the comfort of their own homes.
To make augmented reality, apps like the IKEA place app costs a considerable amount of money. Putting together all the features that give the app its ability means to create a back-end infrastructure and an attractive design by developing a custom app. Two significant components go into creating an AR app for retail, and that is a product catalogue and an AR mode for products which requires skilled 3D designers.
Typically the development process will include a back-end set up of all the connections between servers, the database, a website, an app and a third-party service tool. After that, the UI/UX design will need to be implemented. A custom user interface, along with navigation and AR models with animations, will need to be set up. 3D models require much more intricate work, and so AR apps can take longer to develop in comparison to other apps. The last stage of the development process is gaining quality assurance to ensure it works well in practice.
Interior Design
There are many other popular apps that use AR for interior design, such as Houzz. Houzz, just like the IKEA app, uses AR and allows users to sift through many high-quality pictures of renovations and redecoration ideas to inspire them.
Image Source: The Verge
The app also uses the sketch feature, which will enable users to annotate and draw directly onto photos that are on Houzz. By simply selecting the “view my room” feature, the app uses the camera on the smartphone to see what products would suit the space. Once users are happy with the product, they can then go on to purchase it.
Although there are many AR interior design apps on the market, it’s essential to understand that this is the future of home development and designing. However, just like all things, there is a downside to having AR interior design apps. Firstly it pushes consumers away from spontaneous purchases. The fact that users can see what they want in their houses via the app means they are less likely to walk into shops and purchase items spontaneously. Also, competitors who do not have AR apps will slowly get left behind as the online shopping trend continues to grow. With these factors to consider, one thing remains, and that is AR is undoubtedly here to stay.
Mary is a freelance tech, gadgets and lifestyle writer based in London. Her work has been featured in HubPages, Tech Crates, Virily and Recently Heard. He runs a blog, An Eye Behind, that focuses on the secret life of London.
