Proposal

General Research

by ward2021

What AR is

Augmented reality, a technology initially explored as far back as the 1960s, gained significant mainstream recognition around 2016 due to its adoption by major companies. AR leverages the camera on smart devices to display digital content like images, videos, and text information, effectively enhancing a user’s real-world experience by superimposing digital elements onto their surroundings, which aligns with what the camera is capturing.

Brief Timeline

The figure below illustrates a concise timeline depicting the evolution of augmented reality. It was around 2016 when the technology began to capture the general public’s attention. Notably, Nintendo’s mobile app “Pokémon Go” played a pivotal role in propelling AR into the spotlight. At its peak, the app attracted over 250 million users within the first few months of its launch.

Figure 1: A simplified timeline diagram illustrating the evolution of augmented reality, tracing its inception to its current state.

Larger and widely recognised companies began developing products that harness AR technology. An example would be Meta, the current owner of Facebook, introduced the Meta 2 headset, designed as a versatile multitasking device. Figure 2 illustrates what this headset resembled.

Figure 2: An example of a first-person perspective when using the Meta 2 AR headset.

AR in Real Estate

The real estate industry has been slow in adopting AR technology since few companies have incorporated AR into their products. This does not suggest that AR is entirely absent from the real estate sector, but the technology’s widespread availability to the general public remains limited.

Given the apparent lack of significant progress in this area, there is a potential gap in the market. Utilising AR in real estate can offer numerous advantages to various stakeholders, from construction companies to prospective homebuyers.

In the next post, I will explore how existing companies, apps, and projects have applied AR in this sector.

Benefits of AR in real estate

  • Remote viewings – As the world increasingly embraces remote solutions, incorporating AR in the real estate industry helps to enhance the homebuyer experience. A significant advantage of remote viewings is that individuals relocating across the country can monitor the progress of their homes through their smartphones, eliminating the need for numerous in-person visits to observe updates and track the development of their houses.
  • Sustainability – Expanding on the previous point, remote viewings also contribute to sustainability by eliminating the need for transportation to and from the site. Although this may seem relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, reducing unnecessary journeys is a gradual step toward achieving the goal of net-zero emissions.
  • Time Saving – Offering the ability to view their homes remotely, buyers can save valuable time that would otherwise be spent travelling to the site. This flexibility allows them to schedule viewings at their convenience, avoiding the need to disrupt their work or busy schedules for property visits.
  • Customer Clarity – Another significant advantage lies in providing customers with a clear understanding of their property. The ability to view their property and its details in one comprehensive platform minimise the risk of human errors, such as inaccuracies in room measurements and layouts. It empowers customers to stay well-informed about what they’ve included in their house and the ongoing progress.

Examples of different methods of how AR is introduced

Numerous methods exist for implementing AR within the property sector. Here are three illustrative examples:

  • AR Headsets (Figure 3) – In this context, users will wear a headset to collectively interact with a 3D model, which proves advantageous for group settings where multiple individuals wish to engage with it.
  • Floor plans (Figure 4) – Employing floor plans effectively allows customers to transform 2D designs into 3D, giving them a more precise visualisation of their property.
  • Brochures (Figure 5) – Property brochures offer another excellent means of converting 2D designs into 3D representations. The concept behind this method is similar to floor plans, with the distinction in the print design used.

Researching these gives me an idea of what the customer can scan to access the 3D retentions of their homes. It could also be used as a starting point to set up their profiles on the app.

Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Here’s a video example of using an AR headset focusing on real estate (an extension of figure 3).

Figure 3.1

References

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Presentation

20 October, 2023

Summary

20 October, 2023