Augmented Reality Experiences Replacing Live Events

One of the biggest industries to be hit by the pandemic has been the events industry.

Conferences, expos, and brand-specific events have all been cancelled due to the pandemic.

But, like a phoenix from the ashes, we have seen the rise of Augmented Reality virtual events to replace previously cancelled events.

Brands are using Web-based Augmented Reality to launch virtual events, which can be experienced from the comfort of users own-home via their smartphone device. 

Using Web-based Augmented Reality to launch these events means that users don’t have to download an app to view, they can simply access the experience URL and they are immediately taken to the live AR event.

Let’s take a look at two examples of brands doing this right now.

Pot Noodle Virtual Careers Fair

The current COVID-19 situation has forced a reassessment of events and conferences globally, with forward-thinking brands looking to immersive technologies to fill the gap left by the cancellation of most physical events.

Instead of shutting down operations, innovative companies like Unilever see the benefit in continuing to deliver a valuable, brand-led experience to users at home. 

Working with Aircards, the leading Web AR development agency, Pot Noodle launched their very own AR virtual careers fair which featured 3D booths from a range of graduate employers, including the likes of GradBay, VitaCoco, and FruitLab.

Users on mobile devices are prompted to Tap-to-Place the 3D scene within their own physical environment, instantly transforming the area into an interactive virtual experience. 

From here, users could walk around the experience like they would any normal jobs fair – exploring each employer booth and watching brand explainer videos.

The scene even featured an animated DJ booth with music playing, along with a variety of other fun animated elements. On each employer table, users could tap the stack of application forms to apply for graduate roles. 

“This virtual careers fair experience was an extremely exciting project to work. Recreating an entire careers fair scene in web-based Augmented Reality, with multiple graduate employers and several layers of interactivity, was a great challenge and one which our team are proud to have delivered on.” said Michael Watson, Head of Digital Advertising at Aircards.

Dell Technologies Immersive Portal

The next outstanding example comes from Dell Technologies, providing a full 360 degree cinema experience for what was supposed to be a physical experience room at an international conference, but now using Augmented Reality to deliver the experience to users at home. 

The virtual event experience featured a 3D portal, which the user was prompted to ‘Tap-to-Place’ within their own environment.

As the portal dynamically appears into view, the user is instructed to walk forward inside the portal entrance to view an immersive, 360 video view.

The experience was brought to life by Web AR development agency Aircards, in partnership with CXO Strategies (Dubai). 

With conferences and events worldwide cancelled due to the coronavirus, Augmented Reality offers an immersive alternative for forward thinking companies who want to continue to engage their audience at home. 

About Aircards: Market-leading provider of Web AR marketing campaigns for Enterprise brands, including recent high-profile launches with Dell Technologies, Unilever (Pot Noodle), and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.