Augmented Reality in Real Estate

Bridge between the virtual and the real world

Augmented Reality (AR) describes technologies and applications that link digital data and files to the physical environment to take the user experience to a new level. Most applications currently work on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, but in the future hands-free devices such as smart glasses will increasingly replace them. The gap between virtual and physical reality is closing increasingly. This technology can be used in many ways in the real estate industry. First use cases have developed in the real estate marketing and are mostly used in the development process of the property. Besides common marketing with simple text descriptions and photos, 3D models are already used today and lead to a better interaction with and a deeper understanding of the final product. In the construction process as well, the linking with information from building information modeling can identify and avoid problems at an early stage. With a view to Facility and Property Management, tasks can be handled more safely and efficiently with the help of smart glasses and hands-free tablets. 

The bridge between the virtual and the real world is seen as a forward-looking concept that offers great potential for an improved user experience.

Also, stationary retailers could get again a decisive advantage over the online trade by AR. For example, customers in the store can see information about the product, linking the opportunities for comparison and customer reviews of the virtual world with the physical stimulus to create a new shopping experience. In addition to the attractive product range, the need for individual care and further information, such as the nutrient content, place of origin or recipe suggestions, can be satisfied. By linking with a buyer’s customer profile, an even better understanding of buying behavior can be generated and corresponding individual offers can be made. This is why AR is particularly suited to stationary retailing.