VR - AR, what real asset they can be for your hotel

An example of VR for an hotel : it allows the Tokyo Shangri-La to represents to its potential customers what the Tokyo life is like.

 

Here is an example of an AR technology used in a restaurant : with his tablet, the customer may flash the menu and have an overview of the meal, how it was cooked etc.

Differences between a VR and AR videos from a customer point of view : 

A VR video will be either in 2D or 3D, it “transfers“ the customer in a completely different location. As we saw in the first example, a customer can have an overview of Tokyo Shangri-La without even being in Japan. 

An AR video will dedicated to a live use, Holiday-inn sponsored AR videos with english athletes to welcome guests : with their phones, guests were able to see the athletes standing in the lobby or windsurfing on the bed !

To what sector could it benefit the most ? 

The sector that could benefit the most from it is definitely the tourism sector. Through map apps, cultural AR pop-ups can allow people to visit the city without any city guide other than their phones !

The transport sector will also benefit from it: an app on Paris' subway was already launched, to show where the nearest metro entrance is located, which line it is, etc. 

But on a lot of other different sectors AR/VR could have a huge impact : on the medical sector, teaching surgeons on VR video first, so that they can practice well before the real operation but also popularize certain medical acts with those apps. 

The automobile sector already uses it, mechanics are now able to understand what is wrong under the hood, etc.  

The press uses it as well, to let the customer know about complementary pieces of information, it could be useful to expand the subject on the newspapers' website for example, where space is less limited. 

What do I think about VR/AR? 

I think it is a great tool , which use will only get broader and broader each year as our devices improve as well. As the network coverage and quality increases as well, the VR/AR should be broadly used with the Google glasses, less heavy tool than the Oculus Rift. 

Every new generation borns with new tools, and more and more advanced technology, within a few years, kids will grow with those technologies that will be easy to use for them. 

As for me, I enjoy video games and discovering new cities so I look forward to the popularization of the AR/VR tools in them.
(I'll be going to London in 3 weeks and I'll definitely use eTips as city guide !)