Web AR Examples: The Best Ways To Capture Attention Across Industries
Augmented reality isn’t just a buzzword anymore, and hasn’t been since Pokémon Go created a frenzy back in 2016. Widely known as just AR, augmented reality is revolutionizing multiple industries by delivering highly engaging and memorable experiences for customers of all shapes and sizes. And it’s something we’ve been spearheading at NeoPangea since our first commercial AR project with Walmart back in 2009!
The facts speak for themselves. According to a 2023 survey, 57% of users say they're more likely to buy from a brand offering AR. What’s more, a whopping 70% of consumers think AR can help learn new skills (with 60% of students finding learning more enjoyable this way), and over two-thirds of US citizens believe AR will be integrated into their everyday lives over the next few years.
Yep, AR is a technological juggernaut that’s already having a huge impact on entertainment, education, advertising, marketing, and many other industries. In fact, in 2022 revenues for AR and VR displays totaled almost $1 billion. However, there can be some hurdles to overcome, including app downloads that often act as a barrier to entry for many customers.
And that’s where web-based augmented reality (Web-AR) and our partnership with Niantic comes in.
Take It To The Browser: Web-AR, 8th Wall, and Greater Customer Access
Web-AR, powered by Niantic’s 8th Wall, is a platform that surpasses traditional AR apps and the issues associated with them. Instead, it operates directly through a web browser, eliminating the need for app downloads (very few people want yet another app on their phone) and simplifying access to AR experiences.
Web-AR also provides a streamlined approach for businesses to incorporate AR experiences. By integrating AR directly into their websites, companies simplify customer interactions with AR features during browsing. This smooth interaction enhances user engagement and overall customer experience. And which company doesn’t love a smoother, simpler process to get things done? (actually, if you know of one… have a word).
Beyond its simplicity, Web-AR’s incredible versatility also sets it apart. It fits a huge swath of applications and industries, from marketing campaigns and entertainment experiences to educational programs and extra-curricular learning. And this provides businesses with innovative and interactive ways to reach and engage their audience.
As a strategic partner, NeoPangea has used 8th Wall for several successful projects, and they’re just small selection of the boundless uses of Web-AR. Let’s take a look:
6 Web AR Examples
1. San Diego Comic-Con and the Real Cost of Vaping with AR
Designed to support the US Department of Health's anti-vaping campaign, this Web-AR event took advantage of augmented reality to illustrate the negative effects of vaping.
Now, while vaping might seem harmless or even cool to the younglings, the 'Real Cost' campaign sought to challenge these misconceptions. An interactive Web-AR game at SDCC allowed attendees to experience the potentially harmful effects of vaping in a distinctive, immersive, and highly engaging way. Something we called Attack Of The Metallic Menace.
The eye-opening experience lets users see the dangers of vaping by casting them as a character fighting against metallic creatures; ones that symbolize the toxic metals found in e-cig vapor. As participants battled these harmful elements, they also learned about the damaging effects these toxins can have on the body.
It was a huge success, not just for alerting these entertainment-lovers to the horrific side effects of vaping, but also in showcasing just how effective a Web-AR experience can be.
2. Climbing to New Heights with National Geographic’s Everest
How can kids safely get to the top of the tallest mountain in the world? Well, other than hitching a ride with Superman (not possible… yet), the way to go was by using Web-AR.
National Geographic's Everest project transports children to the treacherous terrain of Mount Everest, all from the comfort of their classroom or family room. Utilizing Web-AR, 8th Wall and NeoPangea allowed ankle biters of all ages to virtually trek Everest, navigating its dangerous and deadly icy cliffs, and surviving its fierce winds. This hands-on tool fuels children's curiosity and encourages them to learn more about the highest peak in the world.
This approach offers a unique benefit - experiential learning. Reading about Mount Everest's geography is one thing, but virtually climbing it is another. And as children learn better by “doing,” they got a much better education from the interactive Web-AR trip.
3. Innovating Kids Meals with WAWA
We helped Wawa transform the traditional kids' meal into an interactive, eco-friendly experience. Gone was the conventional (and wasteful) plastic toy; instead children engaged with a Web-AR experience right on their meal box through trading cards that could be scanned with their phones.
More than just a novelty, Wally’s Adventure Game blended seamlessly with the brand, allowing children to interact playfully with their food. What’s more, the fun game adjusts with the change of seasons, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. And the anticipation of a new interactive adventure with each meal adds an element of fun, making dining enjoyable.
4. Go Scavenging With The Old Bay Crab Hunt
Picture a scavenger hunt like the aforementioned Pokémon Go, but your target isn't fictional creatures; it's virtual crabs. This concept became a reality with the Old Bay Crab Hunt, an augmented reality campaign that turned the classic sweepstakes model into an immersive, interactive experience rewarding loyal fans.
Participants roamed downtown Baltimore, smartphones at the ready, hunting for virtual crabs. Each crab they found counted as an entry into the sweepstakes, but the competition was finite. With a limited number of winners, the contest sparked a sense of urgency and exclusivity.
The outcome? An unforgettable, AR-driven journey that connected fans with the Old Bay brand in a playful, interactive manner. Old Bay offered more than just a prize; they gave people a memorable experience that strengthened their connection to the brand.
5. Chasing The Golden Snitch: A Harry Potter Fan’s Dream
Lovers of the Harry Potter books and movies love any chance to get inside the wizarding world. So, we created an AR experience that got them involved in a big way – seeking out that elusive Golden Snitch from the famous game of Quidditch.
Holding their smartphones, Potter fans went on a quest to grab that tricky snitch. Every capture acted as a lottery ticket, providing a thrilling, and somewhat addictive, method for guests to participate in a competition.
The AR game succeeded in attracting the attention of guests (the grand prize was an overnight stay in Philly and being first in the queue for the new “Harry Potter: The Exhibition”) and fortifying their fanly fondness for Harry Potter.
6. Teeing Off with Nickelodeon
Golf and kids? Doesn’t seem like a match made in heaven, but using Web-AR, some crazy graphics, and a bunch of virtual slime, we helped turn an old man’s game into a children’s playground.
The Slime Cup 'Golf at Sea' immersive AR experience used visual, spatial, and sensory AR modalities to entice players into the event. Modeled after the same features found on a Carnival Cruise Ship, players could get excited by sinking balls through waterslides. And it was a hit with the parents as well.
These are just a few of the many ways Web-AR can be utilized to quickly and energetically engage audiences around the world. And this is only the beginning. Watch this (virtual) space.
Hit us up if you want to learn more about these projects or brainstorm what Web-AR can do for you!