virtual reality kiosks
" Applications for AR kiosks may only be limited by the imagination of content creators , but their use with
shoppers see how furniture pieces fit in existing spaces . Shoppers are able to move pieces around with the app to try various arrangements and to make sure furniture selections will fit with their existing pieces .
After a customer uses the iPad space configuration app , they can put on virtual reality headsets to experience the arrangements to make changes or select different pieces . Ashley worked with Marxent Labs to develop the AR and VR customer tools .
“ Augmented and virtual reality are essential to our growth and vision for the future ,” said Ashley CEO Todd Wanek . “ Our data shows that a combination of 3D visualization , seeing , touching and feeling actual products , combined with the consultation of our knowledgeable salespeople , will lead to a stand-apart customer experience that ’ s location flexible .” technology isn ’ t yet clear "
In March , home improvement store Lowes introduced its ‘ Holoroom How To ’ virtual reality skills training clinic at several stores in Boston and Canada . The application purports to help customers can learn basic do-it-yourself skills , such as tiling a shower or refinishing a floor , in an interactive VR environment . The application is an extension of the retailer ’ s Holoroom tool , launched in 2014 . That application allowed users to visualise home improvement projects in a VR environment .
“ During the past three years , we have been exploring real life applications of augmented and virtual reality experiences to directly help our customers solve everyday problems ,” Kyle Nel , executive director of Lowe ’ s Innovation Labs , said when Holoroom How-To was launched . “ Our experience has shown that customers are embracing AR / VR as part of their home improvement journey , and now , we are using immersive VR to help our customers learn the required skills to complete challenging home improvement projects .”
Furthermore , furniture retailer IKEA has partnered with Apple to develop an app for the next-generation iPhone that will let users place virtual selections from the company ’ s catalogue in whatever space they choose . For example , consumers will be able to hold their iPhone up in their living room and add virtual furniture to their existing décor . The app , expected to be released soon , is rumoured to include a feature allowing users to buy products from within the app itself .
“ This technology makes it easier to make buying decisions in your own home , get inspired and try many different products , styles and colours in real life settings with the swipe of your finger .” IKEA ’ s digital transformation leader Michael Valdsgaard said in a release . “ I think that augmented reality and virtual reality will be a total game changer for retail in the same way as the Internet . Only this time much faster .”
Supplementing the experience Although many of the AR / VR applications hitting the market involve the use of smartphones or special headsets , there are plenty of opportunities for kiosks in the space . Toymaker Lego , for example , has been deploying AR-enabled kiosks in its stores since 2010 . Users hold a product box in front of the kiosk ’ s camera , and the screen then displays a 3D image of the assembled toy on top of the box .
In the Asian market , trade publication ‘ Premium Beauty News ’ reported that a Watson ’ s beauty supply store in Shanghai , China , has deployed a kiosk
36 KIOSK solutions