On the 27th of June, the first Augmented Reality (AR) gallery was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. OnaStories was one of the groups that made this momentous launch a reality. AR technology has come a long way from its inception where users needed specialized equipment and software to use it. Now at the click of a button, we can interact with our environment in a new, exciting and immersive manner. So what exactly is AR and how is it being used globally and on our continent?
Augmented Reality is, in essence, a technology that overlays a computer-generated visual on a user’s sight of the real world. This creates an interactive experience of our environment where the things that are fixed in the real world are augmented by computer-generated information. Many people were introduced to AR through the meteoric rise of the game Pokémon Go, where individuals could hunt and capture Pokémon’s in different locations. Currently, AR has expanded its reach and is used in medical training, retail stores, design, and architecture. The following are a few ways AR is being used in day-to-day life:
1. Vodacom Tanzania Foundation — Social impact launch
As a form of immersive media AR is also making its mark in communication and storytelling. Storytellers can now engage their audience in beyond just text, images, and videos. This is what Vodacom Tanzania Foundation did when releasing its social impact report. OnaStories produced 6 narrative-driven stories about the lives that the foundation had transformed through their medical, educational and financial service initiatives. The gallery was composed of 6 images that, when scanned by an AR application, would come alive and play as a videos
2. PHNX — Property development
In 2017 PHNX, a South African-based specialist property development marketing agency launched a Virtual and Augmented Reality property app. The app transforms a printed advert with a simple scan. Users can then get notifications on property listings and can get information on the agent. With the use of location mapping, prospective residents can view the building’s proximity to the neighborhood’s main attractions.
3. ASOS — Virtual catwalk
ASOS the British online retail and cosmetics shop launched an AR feature called Virtual Catwalk, which will exclusively test on 100 new of their new design products.
Virtual Catwalk requires users to hold their smartphone camera on a suitable flat surface and clicks the ‘AR’ button on the product page in the app. Virtual renditions of models then appear, giving the customer a new and immersive way of viewing products.
4. Google — Search Engine
In May 2019 Google announced that AR will be a significant feature of its search engine as images and videos are already prioritized over textual results on the search engine pages. Google’s augmented reality search will run on any device supporting ARCore, a platform launched in 2018 that aids in building AI apps for Android and iOS.
The search functions will use a combination of camera, computer vision, and AR to overlay information and content onto users’ physical surroundings. The feature will also be used for Maps and Lens applications, allowing users to visualize and interact with their real-world environment in real-time.
Written by Nura.A, OnaStories Executive Learner