AR and Developing Prototypes and Ideas

AR testing can identify errors before they become costly

Augmented Reality is an expansion of the real world through the inclusion of digital objects. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which uses totally artificial environments, AR allows for digital information to be overlaid over real-world environments. This ultimately allows for experimentation and testing out new ideas in a fast, cost-effective fashion. This is because there is no need to create physical versions of the digitally imagined elements until the project is ready to hit production.

In addition to confirming great ideas, it is a great way to cut out ill-fated innovation before investing time and money into them. For many organizations, this is a game-changing breakthrough - both financially and logistically.

AR provides visual insights

Innovation starts with an idea, but turning it into an integration is another challenge altogether. KICKBOX itself is a very visual product that uses clear frameworks and various templates to move projects along while also visualizing data to promote informed decisions. When integrated alongside AR through developing prototypes and ideas, those benefits grow tenfold. Instead of seeing what an innovation could look like, employees can see what it would like. Furthermore, this makes it far easier to collaborate with colleagues, clients, or members of the KICKBOX ecosystem without any ambiguity.

In short, AR provides a far clearer look at the prototypes before entering the production phase. This also makes it easier to try out multiple ideas or use A/B testing to finetune an idea so that it is in the best place by the time it goes to market.

AR feeds seamlessly into iterative processes

Modern consumers are more demanding than ever before, and only innovative brands can meet those expectations. Given that AR combines the digital and physical worlds, it provides the perfect breeding ground for testing out new ideas to improve existing products or overcome current faults. This can be particularly useful in various forms of incremental innovation, whether it’s adding to existing products or using the experiences gained from failed ideas to spearhead the next innovative concept. Moreover, the reduced risks ensure that intrapreneurs gain psychological safety.

Most tech innovations now rely on iterative processes as advancements mean that products need to evolve. AR allows new ideas to be tested out without the obstacles that traditional prototyping would bring, thus enabling quick responses to client issues too.

AR can be developed as the product itself

One of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of innovation is a perceived lack of time. It is shown that creativity requires energy, peace of mind and perspective while taking action while ideas remain fresh in the mind will statistically yield better results. Giving employees the freedom to take responsibility and work on ideas without seeking permission is vital.

AR isn’t only useful during the concept development or prototyping phases. In fact, it can be a customer-facing product in itself. KICKBOX has helped fuel bottom-up innovation at companies like Swisscom and its MARS (mobile augmented reality support) project showcases how AR can be integrated into a product or service. In this instance, customers are guided through troubleshooting processes in relation to their Swisscom devices through the use of augmented reality. It provides an independent, self-serve solution that helps customers get their products up and running in the most efficient way.

The innovation essentially focused on turning outdated instruction manuals into an interactive AR solution. And, of course, augmented reality was used to test the capabilities before taking it to market.