EYE FOCUS | NEWS
Bollé launches
first-ever AR
sunglasses
experience for
smartphones
Bollé is launching an exclusive augmented
reality sunglass experience,
allowing shoppers to try out its
flagship lens technology Phantom
without ever having to physically
touch the glasses.
Partnering with QReal and M7 Innovations,
Bollé’s AR experience is
a first for the sunglass industry.
Within Instagram, the demonstration
invites users to try out Bollé’s
Phantom lens through one of the
brand’s iconic models – the Chronoshield.
After seeing the glasses
on their face, users simply flip their
camera from selfie-view to front-facing
and Phantom lenses are superimposed
on their actual view. Users
then introduce sunglass effects like
high contrast, anti-fog and photochromatic
into their real surroundings
to see Phantom lenses in action.
Once users select a lens that suits
their style and needs, they can search
for a retailer that carries Bollé.
“AR is routinely used for try-on and
certainly enhances the buying experience.
But AR for try-out, this is
a first,” said Louis Cisti, vice-president
of global marketing for Bollé
Brands.
“In the new normal of retail, Bollé
recognizes that safety is now the
most important thing. Consumers
demand shopping encounters that
minimize physical interaction.
However, when it comes to buying
premium sunglasses, they still have
high expectations and expect to see
tangible benefits. Bollé’s AR try-out
does all that heavy lifting. Shoppers
get to see perceivable performance
benefits before making a purchase.”
Using AR, users will experience several
unique Bollé lens features that
demonstrate Phantom’s superiority
for spring skiing, cycling, running
and more:
LIGHT ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
the user is presented with a slider
that allows them to change their
exposure, making the scene brighter
or darker. They watch Phantom’s
molecular photochromic filter adapt
to changes in ambient light;
PLATINUM ANTI-FOG TREATMENT:
The user’s view begins to fog up,
simulating the fogging that occurs
from sweat while riding, hiking, or
spring skiing. Fog condenses outside
the glasses, but the view through
the sunglasses remains crystal
clear, mimicking the real-world
performance Phantom Lenses in a
perspiring situation;
HIGH CONTRAST: The scene outside
the glasses remains natural, but the
user is able to experience improved
colour and depth perception as they
look through the Phantom lenses.
For the Try-On part of the experience,
users will be able to see how
they look in the Bollé Chronoshield,
a new take on an original style from
the 1980s. The Chronoshield offers
an extra wide field of view, ideal
for visual comfort and protection
against wind or debris. Venting
ensures the lenses never fog up and
the adjustable Thermogrip nosepads
and temple tips give a custom fit
while making sure they stay in place.
To try-out Phantom Lenses using
this augmented reality experience,
users can either click on a QR
code that will be included in Bollé
marketing materials or visit Bollé
Eyewear on Instagram.
The Phantom lens range is available
in plano and Rx through Centennial
Optical. EF
24 EYE FOCUS | September Digital 2020