This week we’re examining 8th Wall powered WebAR activations that recently launched across four different industry verticals: Automotive, Ecommerce and Food (x Entertainment!). Check out how these agencies, brands and public figures are breaking new ground in leveraging web-based AR to deliver meaningful immersive experiences directly to users’ smartphones.
This Week in WebAR we’re exploring different ways that agencies and automotive brands are using web-based augmented reality to bring the car showroom directly to customers, making the shopping experience easier than ever. With high resolution, photorealistic renderings and interactive components, users can explore the exterior and interior of cars, learn about new features and even change the paint color or interior fabric choices in real time — all within their mobile browser.
Maserati Levante Trofeo (Germany)
German-based agencyHERREN DER SCHÖPFUNGcreated a WebAR-activated print ad to showcase the new Maserati Levante Trofeo 580 hp. The double-page spread, which appeared in German publication Handelsblatt, transforms into a captivating augmented reality experience when the user scans a QR code.
To mark the debut of its new show, Cursed, Netflix is using WebAR to give users the ability to virtually conjure roots and lightning, receive the sword of power and find their path of magic in a series of augmented reality challenges.
To celebrate the release of our new MRCS Hologram project template (whichmakes it way easier to create WebAR holograms), we’ve dedicated this Week in WebAR exclusively to some of the exciting hologram projects our partners have whipped up.
The President of Israel Virtually “Visits” Citizens in Their Homes During Lockdown
Independence Day in Israel is observed on April 28th and 29th this year, and in order to personally “visit” each and every home in Israel (while practicing good social distancing), President Reuven Rivlin has transformed himself into a WebAR hologram.
This is the first time in history that a country leader has been telecasted in full augmented reality to visit constituents in the privacy of their home and speak to them using volumetric virtual video. The project is a collaboration between The Office of the President, video capture system TetaVi, volumetric video streaming service Omnivor, creative director Nim Shapira, and WebAR technology by 8th Wall.
During the activation, President Rivlin delivers a speech about the 72nd anniversary of Independence Day in Hebrew. Rivlin concludes with: “You know what? Let’s take a selfie. But I didn’t bring my camera…Come on, let’s take a picture together and don’t forget to smile!” presenting a perfectly-timed photo op for participants. Users are encouraged to share on social media with the hashtag: #PresidentRivlinandI.
To educate customers on its journey toward zero carbon and zero waste, Nike worked with production agencyUnit9to transform its shoe boxes into interactive WebAR stories. When scanned, the shoe boxes activate a 3D augmented reality experience that appears on top of the box, and tells the story of Nike’s commitment to sustainability.
SEGA's Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!
To promote the virtual reality version of SEGA’s Dreamcast rhythm game “Space Channel 5,” now available with PlayStation®VR (PS4), creative technology agencyMawari, Inc.developed an activation that lets fans preview the game in WebAR.
Just in time for National LEGO Day (Jan. 28) and the TV premiere ofLEGO Masters,Fox and LEGO teamed up withTrigger — The Mixed Reality Agencyto develop a WebAR experience that allows people to build and share their own 3D LEGO creations for the chance to win prizes.
Pink Floyd: A Surreal WebAR Experience for ‘The Later Years’ Album Release
To celebrate the release of Pink Floyd’sThe Later Yearsbox set, Sony Music Entertainment collaborated with Liverpool-based studioDraw & Codeto develop a WebAR activation that allows fans to experience the band’s music like never before.
Provided by Draw and Code
Place life-size, animated versions of the iconic album artwork into your environment, and watch as Monolithic heads rise from the earth and ominous streetlights contort before you.
“Each artwork is visually striking with a common theme jumping out from each: the juxtaposition of surrealist interpretations of everyday objects and situations sitting incongruously within our reality,” said Mike Snowdon, Creative Lead at Draw & Code.
Jumanji Takes WebAR to the Next Level with Voice-Activated Experience
Sony Pictures andTrigger — The Mixed Reality Agency®teamed up once again to create a WebAR experience — this time for the upcoming feature film Jumanji: The Next Level, now in theaters across the US. The world’s first WebAR activation to use Amazon Lex to power voice interaction (the same tool that powers Amazon Alexa), the experience sends users on a wild 3D adventure into the world of Jumanji!
Upon entering the experience, users are greeted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who stars in the film as Dr. Smolder Bravestone. Users are then prompted to use voice activation to immerse themselves into three thrilling worlds: The Dunes, The Moat and The Fortress.
During the experience, users have the ability watch scenes from the movie and can even reserve tickets by saying “Buy Tickets!” which takes them directly to the ticket purchasing page. This isn’t the first WebAR activation created for a film; In 2018, Sony Pictures and Trigger created an experience for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which was also powered by 8th Wall.
We’re sensing a growing trend of brands using web-based AR to bring an element of surprise and delight to their customers’ daily routines, with entertaining games that truly augment their realities. Check out how these companies took over trains and sidewalks to gamify commutes around North America:
Ally Bank Transforms Cities into a Live MONOPOLY Game
In October, Ally turned six American cities into a giant MONOPOLY board game scavenger hunt with the launch of the WebAR campaign:Ally + MONOPOLY®. The game gave passersby the chance to win up to $50,000 in cash, a new Jeep Wrangler, and up to $1 million in other prizes.
