10 Real-life Examples of How Companies Use AR Technology
If you’ve found this page, you’re probably a business owner or marketer looking for good reasons to invest into augmented reality (AR). Even if you’re not looking to make AR models, you should still stick around because we’ll be looking at several examples of how different companies have tried to use AR in unique ways. So, all-in-all, it’s going to be a fun read.
Just a point to note: We won’t be covering examples like Pokemon Go, Ikea Place app, or Amazon app, as they’ve been extensively covered and are some of the most common examples. Now then, let’s begin.
Real-world examples of how companies are using AR:
-
Netflix’s “Stranger Things” AR game: fight monsters in your local Walmart
If you know anything about Netflix’s Stranger Things, you’ll definitely know how popular the franchise has been. To keep this popularity going, and to keep them fresh in people’s minds, Netflix has made several mobile games on Stranger Things. One of them is an AR game.
The Stranger Things AR game is a mobile role-playing game (RPG) that brings the quaint town of Hawkins to life through the player’s mobile screens. It uses location-based mechanics and Google Maps integration so players can explore the Upside Down (a dark alternate dimension in the show).
Players need to visit specific locations in the real world to trigger the Upside Down, explore for hidden elements (like QR codes), and collaborate with others to fight Demogorgons. One such location is a Walmart store. They have partnered with Netflix so that players can trigger the Upside Down when they enter one of their stores. They can then scan QR codes to complete missions, exit the Upside Down, etc. It’s quite similar to how you go around looking for Pokemon in the Pokemon Go game.
Did you know?
Netflix launched a VR game based on Stranger Things in February of 2024. -
Pepsi Max: the “unreal” bus shelter experience
Back in 2014 (a whopping 10 years ago), Pepsi Max used all their marketing genius to share their brand message of “Live For Now”. In a collaboration with Grand Visual, Pepsi Max transformed a London bus shelter’s display into an augmented reality that played out-of-this-world scenarios. The AR displays were installed on either side of the bus shelter and commuters and passersby were made to believe that aliens, sewer-dwelling creatures, giant robots, or UFOs were making an appearance next to them.
While many commuters and passersby were clearly intrigued by the campaign, it was also made available for people online. On YouTube, the campaign got 3 million views in just five days. During the month that the campaign was live, Pepsi Max sales were up 35% year on year (YoY).
-
Adidas: virtually try on shoes
Adidas launched AR footwear try-on feature in their iOS app in 2019, more specifically during the pandemic. They partnered with Vyking (AR solution provider for eCommerce and online retailers) to make this in-app feature.
Since everyone across the entire globe was under lockdown, this was a great way for customers to shop for Adidas shoes online. Users of the app must simply point their smartphone camera at their feet to see how the shoes looked on their feet as they ran or walked. The software tracks every movement of your feet so it can “try” them on in real-time.
This was also around the time that they had just launched the Alphaedge 4D running shoes. For the launch of the Star Wars model of the Alphaedge 4D, the AR view showed a live Death Star circling the shoes.
-
NFL: using AR technology to enhance viewer experience
Even the NFL (National Football League) in the USA is making use of AR, tracking equipment, and artificial intelligence (AI). The main reasons for this can be narrowed down to the need to eliminate human error, player training, game analysis, and chief of all, enhancement of a fan's viewing experience.
To put it simply, the NFL wants to use AR and other modern technologies to track and overlay (during broadcasting) markers on the field. The first-down is one of these markers. This way, the fan’s view of the real field is not obstructed. The first-down tracking technology was reportedly tested just this year.
The data, pertaining to players and the gameplay, collected during the games will also be used to evaluate performances. Coaches can frame proper training programs and strategies for the teams.
For the fans, AR will help to create interactive experiences both within the stadium and at home.
In the future, you can expect to see the NFL fully integrate AR technology into its broadcasts and stadium experiences.
-
L’Oréal: taking the guesswork out of buying beauty products
L’Oréal’s ModiFace is an AI-powered AR experience for the virtual try-on of makeup products and hair color. ModiFace is a mini program that can be added to websites, apps, or in-store virtual mirrors. It was founded by Parham Aarabi, an engineering professor at the University of Toronto, and L’Oréal acquired it in 2018.
Using ModiFace, customers can preview beauty products on their lips, eyes, cheeks, eyebrows, face, and hair by uploading a photo or video of themselves. Customers can also cultivate a complete look with the various products in stock for a unique look. ModiFace has additional features that increase engagement, like before-and-after comparisons, options to save and then share, etc.
Eyeballing the shades and guessing which color matches or complements the customer's skin tone can be challenging. ModiFace really takes the guesswork out of the process, making the purchase experience more fun.
Did you know?
ModiFace is now part of a few other websites like Amazon and Nykaa. -
Acura: host of the world’s first AR driving experience
We'd like to get your attention to two of Acura's uses of AR. The first one we want to talk about is the time when the car company hosted an AR driving event called "What a Race" on Facebook. The event was the first of its kind in the world and also the first time an AR helmet technology was involved. The helmet's extra wide visor was embedded with an HD screen.
What a Race was organized to show off their new (at that time) 2018 Acura TLX A-Spec Sedan. Four drivers, fitted with a custom-built AR race helmet, competed with each other. Each driver was seated in the front seat of the Acura, and their helmets were connected to a computer in the back. The HD screen in the visors projected the real world mixed with virtual elements, and the driver had to navigate through these digital elements.
The second way Acura has used AR is with a mobile driving game called "Inside Track". In this game, players can challenge others to a race in any of the 3D virtual race courses available.
Since the game was released during the pandemic - a time when people couldn't go anywhere, let alone a car dealership - players were kept engaged and exposed to the brand.
-
Smithsonian Museum: where Dinosaur came back to life
For a few months in 2014, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History held a Dinosaur Experience exhibition for its visitors. It was an AR experience combined with motion tracking. At the exhibition, there were large LED video walls where visitors could see themselves and interact with numerous types of dinosaurs.
All dinosaurs in the exhibition were among the last ones that lived in North America, just before the mass extinction 66 million years ago.
The Smithsonian still uses AR and other new-age technologies to attract more visitors year-on-year.
-
Mondly: the AR language learning assistant
Mondly is a virtual language learning assistant that uses the power of augmented reality on your phone. Just fire up the app and hold the screen in front of you, and a 3D character (who is essentially the teacher) will teach you new words and concepts in the language you want to learn.
The examples used by the virtual teacher will use other life-sized 3D models to help you grasp the language better. The virtual teacher will also have conversations with you so it can offer feedback on pronunciation and vocabulary.
-
Maybelline New York: the world’s biggest AR mirror in the middle of Ukraine
We already covered a makeup brand, but this one made use of the world's largest AR mirror. The campaign for Maybelline was held on October 11, 2023 - just for one day - to promote their Falsies Surreal mascara. The mirror was created together with FFFace.Me.
The large AR mirror, spanning a total of 43,000 square feet (4,000 m²), was installed on the side of Gulliver Mall in Kyiv, Ukraine. During the campaign, mall visitors could interact with the kiosk under the mirror and virtually try on the mascara. The initial organic responses were incredible, according to group brand manager at Maybelline NY, Alina Odolska.
-
Warner Bros: using social media filters for movie promotions
Most people would probably still remember the Barbie movie thanks to the great cultural phenomenon that was the "Barbenheimer". While the movie was already generating a lot of buzz owing to the actors, themes, and such, production company Warner Bros was doing everything on their end to make the film a blockbuster.
Warner Bros, the producers of Barbie, entered a deal with Snapchat to release an AR filter on the app for their ad campaign. As you probably already know, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram filters are all basically just AR-generated visuals. So, through this deal, only users of the Snapchat app could virtually dress up in outfits that were inspired by the movie. They could "dress up" to look like Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) or Ken (played by Ryan Gosling). The Barbie AR filter was only available for three weeks before the movie's worldwide opening.
We’ve come to the end of this list
There are plenty more examples of companies using AR in different ways. These were just some that were groundbreaking or innovative in their own ways. If you’re inspired and want to get a hold of AR models for your own AR projects, just reach out to us.
