I’m loving the Google 3D animals that you can create life-size versions of in your home.  What a great use of augmented reality and a good way to pass a bit of time/do a bit of home learning under lockdown! The goal of Augmented Reality is for the digital world to blend into a person’s perception of the real world, not as a simple display of data, but through the integration of immersive sensations which are perceived as natural parts of an environment.

The big difference between Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) is the users’ perception:

• In VR the users’ perception of reality is completely based on virtual information.
• In AR, the user is provided with additional computer-generated information that enhances their perception of reality.

So where are examples of AR being used to good effect in business?

Furniture

Companies like Wayfair are putting it to good use by allowing you to see their furniture in your home via their app

Home décor

Dulux are doing something similar within their Dulux Visualizer app, allowing you to pick a colour from anywhere and see how it would look painted on your walls.

Beauty

Cosmetics brands are getting in on the act. For example, L’Oreal Paris allow you to try on make up, new hair colours, eyebrows and much more.

There are lots of fun apps too which often combine augmented reality experiences with gaming.

But what about education? Where does AR belong in the classroom?

It offers ‘learning by doing’ and generally requires very little tech (a tablet and app are usually sufficient) so I’d love to see some real-life examples of it working with learners.

All suggestions welcome in the comments 🙂

P.S. If you want to give the 3D animals a go, you just need to google the animal and then scroll down to the ‘meet the life size version’ box to get going. As far as I’m aware you can find 3D versions of the animals below:

• Alligator
• Angler fish
• Ball python
• Brown bear
• Cat
• Cheetah
• Deer
• Dog (bulldog, pomeranian, Labrador retriever, rottweiler, pug)
• Duck
• Eagle
• Emperor penguin
• Giant panda
• Goat
• Hedgehog
• Horse
• Leopard
• Lion
• Macaw
• Octopus
• Raccoon
• Shark
• Shetland pony
• Snake
• Tiger
• Turtle
• Wolf