What better time than Monday morning for our creatives to enjoy an inspiration session? Sometimes we have external experts, but mostly it’s our very own art directors, writers and designers sharing what they find inspirational with the whole team.
At a recent session, Nick Hearne, designer, reviewed five of the best websites and applications that use webcam technology. Some are new, some are vintage (given how fast internet technology moves), but all have a great idea behind them. Here are the results:
GE Smart Grid
GE Smart Grid unpacks from its QR code with great effect. You can view either a wind farm or solar energy farm. The wind turbines turn as you blow into your microphone. This web cam application ties in well with the whole Smart Grid website.
Good points: Works in any browser with no extra plugin, great intro and outro from the QR code, microphone interaction
Bad points: Low resolution model
Try it here: http://ge.ecomagination.com/smartgrid/
Mentos Kiss Cam
This is refreshing to see a webcam website that doesn't use the latest technology fad of augmented reality. The closer you move to your webcam, the closer the girl (or guy) gets for a kiss.
Good points: Great art direction, relevant execution
Bad points: Long load time
Try it here: http://www.mentoskisscam.com/
Toyota iQ_REALITY
Another application has to be downloaded and installed onto your computer. The iQ offers two interactive QR codes; one showing the spacious interior of the car, the other letting you to drive and steer the iQ by tilting the QR code.
Good points: Excellent interactivity through tilting the QR code, good 3D model skin with reflections
Bad points: This has to be installed locally
Try it here: http://tiny.cc/CIM1y
Rayban Virtual Mirror
This locally installed application is now reasonably old in the world of augmented reality, but still holds the crown for most appropriate use of the technology. Map a pair of Rayban sunglasses onto your face, pose in the mirror until you find the right pair, then one click and you are at the shop ready to buy them. Brilliant!
Good points: Relevant application of technology, drives direct to purchases
Bad points: This has to be installed locally and doesn't have the full range of sunglasses
Try it here: http://www.ray-ban.com/USA/
We Are Aurobots
Map Optimus Prime's head onto your head using Face API technology. The rate at which the mask identifies your face and tracks your movement is incredible. This is still a novelty, but shows off the impressive capabilities of this emerging technology.
Good points: Incredible and novel face detection and tracking
Bad points: Need to install a plugin
Try it here: http://www.weareautobots.com/
What’s your favourite and why?
3 comments:
I love the Transformers example; it's the most impactful as it takes over your whole face... and I will always remember Sean Philip's quote "I'd like to augment Megan Fox's reality". Nice.
They can do some amazing things with augmented reality these days. The best examples I've seen are from LEGO who actually seem to understand how to use the technology in a way that enhances consumer experience, not just as a gimmick (albeit a cool gimmick sometimes). They have these cool in store display screens which show in 3d what the completed model would look like when you hold the box up to the camera.
And they do a kind of visual instruction manual too.
Videos on my blog: here
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