SwagSoft has recently helped BMW to develop the app that perfectly demonstrates how gamification and AR can attract visitors. Let’s dig into more details.
BMW Partners with Swag Soft
BMW is a progressive brand that always follows technology trends. Lately, it has been focusing much on VR and AR solutions in car production. Therefore, BMW resorted to SwagSoft with the need to create innovative and engaging ways to wow the visitors for the BMW Art Spots event. Thanks to the integrated augmented reality feature, users can now experience the best of BMW Mobile Arts on their smartphones. The application showcases how quality mobile app gamification can attract users.
The app provides sole access to BMW Art Spots at Esplanade Singapore and offers exciting performances that liven up the “Performance Made Beautiful” theme. Also, the BMW All-Access Pass developed by SwagSoft allows users to unlock badges and receive fantastic presents. The main app features include:
- gamified brand advertising campaign
- unlock accomplishments with AI
- multimedia support
Shawn Ignatius, the managing director at Sheer Industries Group, stated that he enjoyed the collaboration with SwagSoft. “Quality and Timely delivery have always been of paramount importance in any project, both criteria which Swag Soft has given to us as partners. We’re proud to have collaborated with them with some of our clients and will continue to do so,” said Shawn.
BMW Lavarages AR/VR
BMW has been utilizing VR/AR technologies for a long time now. For instance, the company was the first to use DigiLens technology. Previously, a car manufacturer used it with MINI augmented reality glasses, which debuted at the Shanghai auto show. The company has also been working on a powerful VR solution together with Unreal Engine – the system will be able to recreate several options for processing surfaces and fragments of BMW cars. Virtual images will be projected onto 3D-printed parts, making it possible to understand how they will look after processing or inside the vehicle. It will allow BMW designers to notice earlier potential design flaws and change the virtual model.
BMW has been using the HTC Vive developer kit to develop cars since 2015. The German car manufacturer received the first prototypes of the HTC Vive helmet back in November 2015. After extensive testing, BMW executives decided to integrate virtual reality into the car design process. Thanks to the features of the helmet, BMW implements work on prototypes in VR, which will help to save time and effort spent on development, especially in its early stages. Only prototypes tested in virtual space will go to trial production.
Although helmets have several disadvantages compared to professional stationary virtual reality systems, they are economical and can be put into use quite quickly. Besides, due to the relative cheapness, helmets can be placed in any of the units, so that any employee responsible for the ceratin area will be able to check their often development in the virtual space quickly.
The modern digital transformation and development intensity is highly correlated with the strategy of BMW itself, focused on innovative technologies and continuous progress. Some auto features, a new design, and ergonomics can be modeled fast for subsequent visual/virtual experiments. You can simulate the driver driving around the city in a new building. All the time during the simulation, the developer has the feeling that he is really in a new car. BMW uses rapid prototyping and a disassembled, reusable layout, complementing virtual reality. Accurate stereo sound also adds atmospheric and full perception.
AI for Marketing
While augmented reality development is becoming an increasingly powerful marketing tool for automotive brands, many companies in another industry are not far behind in applying this technology in their field. BMW also allowed its potential customers to literally “touch” a new car – the Z4 convertible using augmented reality.
BMW has launched an advertising project for the Z4 Roadster using augmented reality innovatively: they provided users with the possibility to control the Z4 directly on their desktop and customize the car using the application (car color, tire design, accessories etc.). Users later had the opportunity to share custom results on their social networks with friends.
Using augmented reality, BMW has created the so-called “Virtual Test Drive.” It allowed not only to take a closer look at the model but also to appropriate the car at the psychological level, allowing it to individualize. BMW soon understood that even in the early stages of the planning process, augmented reality would be one of the significant ways to build a company’s marketing.
Final Word
Augmented and Virtual reality is not the technology of the future but the present. It saves money and shortens the time of work at each stage of production.
Find out which AR/VR solutions are right for your business with SwagSoft. We are a mobile app development company located in Singapore. SwagSoft has developed many successful VR/AR cases, and we are willing to work on yours!