Tag: augmented reality news

Augmented reality app brings a car manual to life

| June 3, 2013

A new mobile application from Inglobe Technologies turns a smartphone into an interactive guide.

Though not yet on the market, Inglobe Technologies has developed a unique smartphone app that has the potential to revolutionize the driver’s experience when small repairs or basic maintenance is required.

The application provides the vehicle owner with instructions for a number of different tasks.

The augmented reality app is designed to allow the user to look through the screen of the smartphone and see the engine of his or her own car, with its main components clearly labeled and with steps to guide him or her though various maintenance tasks, such as checking or changing oil.

This augmented reality development could revolutionize the experience of having a car break down.

Instead of being left entirely bewildered on the side of the road, the augmented reality features of the app could show drivers how to go about fixing minor problems. They could also improve the way that they maintain their vehicles, simply because they will be able to accomplish a number of smaller tasks without having to bring it to the mechanic. This could potentially reduce the risk of a break down by the vehicle.

The components of an engine are labeled by the augmented reality app in real time. Moreover, it provides animations of how and where to check the oil and top up fluid levels. That said, it isn’t involved to the degree that it could be used for rebuilding an engine. The purpose of the app is not to replace a good mechanic.

Instead, it gives drivers a boost in their knowledge and in their confidence regarding a number of the tasks that they could do themselves, provided that they know where to find the right components of the engine, and that they learn the steps that need to be followed.

Augmented reality provides a considerable advantage over the user’s manual of the vehicle – or even step by step instructions written in text with images. It eliminates the need to “visualize”, as it demonstrates the process using the vehicle’s own engine, directly in front of the user.

Augmented reality platform released by Audi with Somo

| May 20, 2013

Audi Augmented RealityThis new smartphone friendly experience will help users to be able to bring their brochures to life.

Audi has just announced the unveiling of its Audi Vision augmented reality platform for mobile devices, which will give consumers the ability to use their smartphones and tablets to bring the brochures to life.

The Audi Vision platform will be simple and straightforward to use for smartphone and tablet owners.

It is designed to allow the user to simply point the device at one of the vehicle manufacturer’s spring price and specification guides for 2013, and take a “picture” that will transform the printed pages of the brochure into a full augmented reality experience that includes additional pictures, video, and even more content.

The company hopes that the augmented reality experience will reflect the innovation of the brand.

According to the Audi UK national digital manager, Hugh Fletcher, “Audi Vision is the most innovative digital project we’ve undertaken to date and most importantly it supports a key developing trend in marketing; the overlap between digital and CRM. Applying Audi Vision to our brochures is just the beginning.”

Fletcher also added that over the years to come, the augmented reality Vision platform will be applied in a large number of different marketing channels, as well as to enhance both printed and digital materials, and to provide an improved in-center experience. He hopes that this will “allow Audi fans to really get under the skin of our cars.”

The augmented reality application was designed for Audi by Somo. It is available for Android phones and tablets, as well as iPads and iPhones. The global innovation director at Somo, Maani Safa, said that “Audi is leading the way in the AR sector, embracing mobile-first and placing it at the heart of its digital strategy. We are proud and excited to be helping them pioneer the next generation of digital marketing.”

When the Audi Vision augmented reality grabs onto any specific brochure that is used, it will not need a data connection after that point. This could make a considerable difference in the convenience and experience provided by the application for the consumer.