ArticlesWebAR - Augmented Reality for web

You have probably heard about Augmented Reality, and might even use the technology in your daily life without knowing. Augmented Reality is present in Instagram stories’ filters, mobile games such as Pokémon GO and many other places of common access.

But, nevertheless, what is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality is the technology that allows visually introducing virtual elements into the real world be it real time, picture or video – when an image is captured through some sort of lens (device camera, holo lens, etc.).

Augmented Reality is mostly seen by the public in the segments of education and marketing, in actions such as the launching of a new product, interactive campaigns in commemorative dates, brand communication, interactive showcase windows, activities in conventions and events, etc.

Despite not being as popularly known as the examples above, the technology also has many uses for other purposes even inside companies, in the corporate environment, innovating tasks such as: 3D package testing, presenting new products that would be impossible to bring on a client meeting, presenting a new prototype or product that doesn't exist physically yet, training new employees on operating complex machines, and also for educational and informative purposes.

Not too long ago, the use of augmented reality in smartphones and tablets was only possible through the download of an app. However, thanks to continuous technological advances and investment in the sector, nowadays it is possible to access augmented reality experiences through the smartphone’s browser, with the click of a link. And that’s what we call WebAR.

In addition to having a reduced operational cost, the WebAR experience is more accessible to the general public because it does not require the user to download an app. All it takes is to click on a link or scan a QR code with the device’s camera – and the AR is ready to be accessed and experienced directly through the browser.

WebAR can deliver any kind of experience that is available through traditional augmented reality apps from the simplest such as opening an image, informative texts and playing a video, to the most complex ones such as displaying animated 3D objects, surface recognition and playing mini games.

One of the WebAR projects developed here at Webcore was a “treasure hunt” experience, idealized by the prefecture of São Caetano, as an educational contest for the students from public schools in order to engage the kids and teenagers into visiting and learning about important historical places of the city. Among other activities, it was possible for the users to visualize the monuments and buildings in 3D models and learn about them through WebAR, without needing to leave their homes. 

Are you interested in the many possibilities of augmented reality?

Contact us! Also, you can check out the previous cases we have worked on using AR.

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