Mechanical Engineering & Augmented Reality: Large plants and machines in pocket format

Companies in the plant and mechanical engineering sector are all too aware of the challenge of effectively presenting their large-scale products to customers and prospects. Until now, brochures or promotional videos have typically been used in meetings to inform and engage the target audience about their product range. However, the more expansive the product offering, the more difficult it becomes to convince potential clients of its capabilities under these circumstances. Thus, the proverbial "size does matter" can quickly backfire when applied to large systems, significantly diminishing the negotiating position and sales opportunities of sales teams.

Thanks to digital transformation and the development of increasingly powerful extended and augmented reality, this has changed. Virtually enhanced realities allow even manufacturers of very large products to present them virtually in pocket-sized format. In this way, they can present even football-field-sized facilities realistically in 3D from all perspectives at significantly lower costs than with physical models or 1:1 scale presentations. The realistic impression is further enhanced because users can zoom in as close as they like to examine even the smallest functions and components in detail – all with just a slight swipe on the display of a smartphone or tablet. By displaying a wide variety of content, even complex products can be presented with few words and all the more vividly. The optional addition of videos, sounds, and graphics offers even more potential to impress and inspire users.

Once interest is piqued, it greatly simplifies the sales team's task with the customer. This is just one reason why more and more mechanical engineering companies are turning to augmented reality (AR) tools when it comes to presenting themselves in an innovative and visually unique light. Another advantage of this virtual experience is that it can be implemented at easily calculable costs, scaled to other offerings and levels, and used completely independently of location and time. Users can thus often save considerable travel and presentation costs by sending a customer a customized AR project in advance via email or app download, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the product virtually within their own company environment. Furthermore, the time savings are enormous: instead of the time-consuming and expensive construction and transport of physical models, the AR simulation is immediately ready for use anywhere in the world.

This rapid transition is made possible by our partners in the world of XR technology, such as Extended and Augmented Reality. We offer AR solutions that seamlessly implement all the advantages of enhanced product reality for companies across a wide range of industries. Users don't need complex in-house IT, as we handle all the technical aspects. Manufacturers simply need to provide 3D or CAD data of their machines and systems, along with accompanying content. Extensive training for service and sales teams, as well as comprehensive user manuals for end customers, is also unnecessary. Our solutions are intuitive, allowing even less technically inclined users to quickly navigate the visual AR environment.

Augmented Reality Apps Examples

The interactive AR elements not only allow customers to engage more deeply with the project, but also significantly simplify communication with the manufacturer. With just one click, customers can immediately contact a competent representative within the company. Furthermore, the simulations can be used to create cost-effective marketing campaigns, which can then be made available to an unlimited number of users directly via app or browser. This clearly demonstrates the positive cost-benefit ratio of AR technology.

Trade fair solution 4.0 with Pocket Booth – Pocket Booth's innovative app for your pocket makes it easy for companies to implement a digital trade fair presence

The practical apps are also ideally suited for use at trade fairs. Manufacturers of large machines or planners of entire plants, in particular, can attest to the limited space available, even at industrial trade fairs. Often, the bulky units are simply too large to be presented live at the exhibition stand. And even if this is possible, the considerable costs and time involved in transport, setup, and the oversized stand itself are often difficult to justify to internal controllers.

Apps like Pocket Booth address this shortcoming by allowing exhibitors to present large systems using AR on a smartphone screen. The virtual environment created by the app offers users an interactive way to explore products of any shape and size in detail, complete with all relevant data. This allows booth staff to realistically demonstrate non-physical products to trade fair visitors in 3D. The resulting visual worlds create a "wow" experience for potential customers that even a spectacular trade fair booth can hardly replicate.

Related to this:

• The 10+ X advantages of Pocket Booth's virtual trade fair presence

• How to successfully enter the virtual trade fair world – with a downloadable whitepaper
• How do you organize a trade fair appearance in 2022?

• Smartview: Product Photo 4.0 / Product Image 4.0 – With video and WebAR example!