For leaders looking to digitally transform their key business processes - augmented reality (AR)is the best place to begin. What makes AR/VR solutions attractive for leaders at all levels is - most of these projects can be started lean and scaled up fast. Large number of global companies like ABB, Boeing, GE etc have piloted many of their potentially high business value AR initiatives, with a relatively small budget and then scaled up on success. An AR based mobile app, makeup genius was started as small marketing pilot by L’oreal group. The app inspired 14 millions people to make 250 million product trials across the world. Makeup genius, in just over two years, became a new channel for L’oreal cosmetics. Pokeman Go, a game based on AR technology reached 50 million users in just 19 days - making it a history in new technology adoption. Developers of the game superimposed just a few key AR features on the formerly successful video game.
Augmented Reality is the new tipping point of digitization where tech experts are expecting the next big innovations like the mobile phone or iPod to emerge. Starting AR/VR could give the digital lead a huge first mover advantage where billions have been invested by the likes of facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple and few others.
What is AR/VR
Generally augmented reality superimposes computer generated image or video which can then become interactive screen much like a mobile touch screen. By gestures and finger movements directed at this virtual screen, one can interact with the AR app.
Figure-1 AR based mobile app can show information about ATMs restaurants, shopping centers etc when a street is viewed through the mobile camera.
VR on the other hand creates a totally new virtual world for the user. With a headset a user for instance, can enter a virtual car showroom, walk about a factory floor, experience thrill of being inside a castle. Like in a movie higher the quality of production and graphics more real the experience.
Figure-2 VR based app which trains the junior technicians on the key functioning of the Jet engine. Wearing head set Hololens the junior engineers can see huge virtual jet engine before them and train.
Where companies like ABB are using AR/VR
Many of our clients started with couple of pilots on AR/VR before they launched such initiatives organization wide. Research by Gartner, Forrester etc show that global organizations such as P & G, Asian Paints etc start with projects that are linked to improve the business processes that add value - deliver customer experience, enhance customer support and so on.
Following paragraphs give quick view of how organizations around the world are using AR/VR for improving their processes.
Customer experience: Use AR VR in improving customer experience of the product or service or journey.
Case in point - One of the world leaders in paint manufacturing is using VR that allows homeowners paint the walls with color of their choice in a virtual environment.
Product development:Case in point - Ford is using VR to create a virtual workshop where engineers from different locations collaborate in real time on vehicle prototypes. Participants can walk around virtually and go inside these life-size models to refine design details such as the position of the steering wheel, the angle of the dashboard etc without having to build an expensive physical prototype.
Operations:Case in point - Xerox used AR to connect field engineers with experts. With this first-time fix rates increased by 67%. Now Xerox is using AR to connect remote technical experts directly with customers instead of field engineers. This has increased 76%, the rate at which technical problems are resolved by customers without any on-site help, cutting travel costs.
Supply chain:AR based solution to guide picking items in a large warehouseAR based training for store operations.
Case in point-Intel is using AR in warehouses and has achieved a 29% reduction in picking time, with error rates falling to near zero. And the AR application is allowing new Intel workers to immediately achieve picking speeds 15% faster than those of workers who’ve had only traditional training.Asian Paints introduced a potentially disruptive business model when it started selling painted-wall as service instead of just can of paints - to its end consumers. We were technology partners for Asian Paints in their bid to reinvent their customer experience with AR/VR projects. Asian Paints is one of the largest manufacturers of paints in the world with over 4 billion in annual sales. Both Harvard Business Review and MIT sloan management review featured Asian paints for its digital transformation, from being brick and mortar to digital maturity organization.
One of global leaders in paint manufacturing, piloted a virtual reality solutions in their sales process and thereby enhanced customer experience in their buying journey. The VR app allows the prospects to go about a virtual house and view the interiors as an immersive experience. One can with a headset enter the virtual world, virtually walk along the passage, climb up the stairs, see even the sunset on the terrace. One can change the paint of the wall paint with a remote. Walls can be painted with thousands of color options instantly with the help of the remote. Though it is too early to evaluate the business impact of the project, early indicators are very encouraging. It has been able to create “aha!” moments for the prospects and Sales leaders are planning to scale this up and initiating few more pilots in this direction.
If you looking to quick start your digital transformation journey one sure way to find your way could be look into AR.
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Augmented Reality is the new tipping point of digitization where tech experts are expecting the next big innovations like the mobile phone or iPod to emerge. Starting AR/VR could give the digital lead a huge first mover advantage where billions have been invested by the likes of facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple and few others.
What is AR/VR
Generally augmented reality superimposes computer generated image or video which can then become interactive screen much like a mobile touch screen. By gestures and finger movements directed at this virtual screen, one can interact with the AR app.
Figure-1 AR based mobile app can show information about ATMs restaurants, shopping centers etc when a street is viewed through the mobile camera.
VR on the other hand creates a totally new virtual world for the user. With a headset a user for instance, can enter a virtual car showroom, walk about a factory floor, experience thrill of being inside a castle. Like in a movie higher the quality of production and graphics more real the experience.
Figure-2 VR based app which trains the junior technicians on the key functioning of the Jet engine. Wearing head set Hololens the junior engineers can see huge virtual jet engine before them and train.
Where companies like ABB are using AR/VR
Many of our clients started with couple of pilots on AR/VR before they launched such initiatives organization wide. Research by Gartner, Forrester etc show that global organizations such as P & G, Asian Paints etc start with projects that are linked to improve the business processes that add value - deliver customer experience, enhance customer support and so on.
Following paragraphs give quick view of how organizations around the world are using AR/VR for improving their processes.
Customer experience: Use AR VR in improving customer experience of the product or service or journey.
Case in point - One of the world leaders in paint manufacturing is using VR that allows homeowners paint the walls with color of their choice in a virtual environment.
Product development:Case in point - Ford is using VR to create a virtual workshop where engineers from different locations collaborate in real time on vehicle prototypes. Participants can walk around virtually and go inside these life-size models to refine design details such as the position of the steering wheel, the angle of the dashboard etc without having to build an expensive physical prototype.
Operations:Case in point - Xerox used AR to connect field engineers with experts. With this first-time fix rates increased by 67%. Now Xerox is using AR to connect remote technical experts directly with customers instead of field engineers. This has increased 76%, the rate at which technical problems are resolved by customers without any on-site help, cutting travel costs.
Supply chain:AR based solution to guide picking items in a large warehouseAR based training for store operations.
Case in point-Intel is using AR in warehouses and has achieved a 29% reduction in picking time, with error rates falling to near zero. And the AR application is allowing new Intel workers to immediately achieve picking speeds 15% faster than those of workers who’ve had only traditional training.Asian Paints introduced a potentially disruptive business model when it started selling painted-wall as service instead of just can of paints - to its end consumers. We were technology partners for Asian Paints in their bid to reinvent their customer experience with AR/VR projects. Asian Paints is one of the largest manufacturers of paints in the world with over 4 billion in annual sales. Both Harvard Business Review and MIT sloan management review featured Asian paints for its digital transformation, from being brick and mortar to digital maturity organization.
One of global leaders in paint manufacturing, piloted a virtual reality solutions in their sales process and thereby enhanced customer experience in their buying journey. The VR app allows the prospects to go about a virtual house and view the interiors as an immersive experience. One can with a headset enter the virtual world, virtually walk along the passage, climb up the stairs, see even the sunset on the terrace. One can change the paint of the wall paint with a remote. Walls can be painted with thousands of color options instantly with the help of the remote. Though it is too early to evaluate the business impact of the project, early indicators are very encouraging. It has been able to create “aha!” moments for the prospects and Sales leaders are planning to scale this up and initiating few more pilots in this direction.
If you looking to quick start your digital transformation journey one sure way to find your way could be look into AR.
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