AR or VR: What’s ideal for your business?

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are aspects of extended reality that have long been used to revolutionise industries such as healthcare, emergency services, consumer interactions, and employee training. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, businesses worldwide had to reconsider their procedures to better react to changing market conditions and consumer expectations. So why has AR and VR exploded in popularity? 

What is VR?

Virtual reality uses VR equipment, controllers, and even full-body haptic suits to completely immerse the user in a computer-generated simulation. Because the motor brain and sensory system respond similarly to real-life encounters, virtual reality makes you feel as if you're actually there. In other words, your brain starts to accept the 3D virtual environment as real. 

What is AR?

Augmented reality allows users to add virtual 3D images, text, and movies to real-world visuals, which may be viewed on a smartphone, tablet, or smart glasses. Using a camera, augmented reality apps must first acquire environment data. Adding virtual elements to the real world increases your perspective of the simulated environment (for example, Pokemon Go). 

What’s the difference between AR and VR?

While AR and VR have many similarities, each has significant advantages and disadvantages when it comes to interacting with virtual environments. In AR, you may interact with virtual objects while being connected to the real environment. Immersion in a digitally-created environment is not the same as isolation from reality (VR). 

Unlike augmented reality, you need a VR headset like the Oculus Quest to interact with digital elements in your environment. 

Real-World AR/VR Case Studies

AR and VR may help organisations achieve their strategic goals like the following: 

Furniture shopping apps

Users can utilise AR software to place furniture in their homes and evaluate if it matches their decor before buying. Once a consumer has chosen a position, they may view the goods from all angles and choose from a variety of colours and patterns. The software allows customers to order the merchandise with just a few taps. This augmented reality software allows customers to purchase from the comfort of their own homes. 

AR in advertising

Adidas created a fascinating AR marketing campaign utilising this smartphone app to advertise the Nite Jogger sneaker. Four artists were chosen to use Tilt Brush to create 3D sculptures in VR for this campaign. This augmented reality software allows users to view and photograph the artwork during the launch event in Warsaw. Adidas can use AR software to create interesting consumer experiences, promote new products and increase sales in the future. 

VR in training

The VR Triage app teaches young doctors and EMTs how to quickly assess a patient's condition and deliver first aid. This app's eight scenarios were built with the help of doctors and EMTs. If the trainer so wants, he or she can create unique situations by choosing details such as location, accident time, victim count, victim kind, and even injury severity. Each scenario contains a test that requires the learner to complete all stages of triage. They must assess the situation, physically evaluate each patient, give prompt medical aid, and label them with a wristband indicating their status. This virtual reality training software prepares users for real-world circumstances where quick decisions can save lives. 

VR e-learning

Santander Bank Polska chose virtual reality for customer service training. Virtual reality scenarios were constructed utilising 360-degree spherical movies to assess employees' soft abilities. To interact with a specific customer persona, the learner must select from a set of pre-defined options. Trainees can address seven virtual consumers, each with distinct desires. 

Employees can practise customer service and emotional responses in a safe and dynamic virtual environment. Companies like Santander may use the data from VR training sessions to better understand their students' behaviour and suggest areas for improvement. 

VR in advertising

VR enables the creation of immersive customer experiences that allow customers to explore and interact with captivating virtual worlds. Oreo created a VR marketing campaign for its Filling Cupcake Oreos in 2016. A tour of Oreo's "Filled Cupcake" advertisement shows how the cookies are made while showing a world of chocolate landscapes and milk rivers. The idea was one of the most creative ways to get customers to buy their items. 

What lies ahead?

International Data Corporation estimates the AR/VR sector in Europe will be valued at $20.9 billion by 2025. With so many successful real-world applications in industries like health care, education, and military, you can't afford to miss this chance. Both virtual and augmented reality have benefits and drawbacks. Our team is here to assist you from start to finish, whether you want to train your remote workforce, increase employee retention, or generate compelling client experiences.