Augmented reality platform ImagineAR Inc. and Interactive Marketing Promotions announced today a three-year license for a software development kit with an AR platform for a new IMP Event App for automotive shows.

In 2019, IMP developed and deployed an AR Scavenger Hunt for the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show presented by the Automobile Dealers Association of Metro Milwaukee. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, automotive shows have suffered from the reduction in crowd sizes and the need for social distancing.

Using IMP’s new mobile app for the auto show industry, developed using ImagineAR’s SDK, users and showroom tour guides can keep themselves socially distanced and there’s little need to touch anything. Augmented reality uses headsets and holograms projected into the users’ vision, air-gesture detection for controls and voice recognition.

Even in-person events can be easily socially distanced and crowds can be managed using AR, thus making information delivery completely contactless. Digital ticketing, two-way instant lead generation and now product infomercials can be done via AR.

“We have successfully worked with IMP prior to the onset of the pandemic,” said Alen Paul Silverrstieen, founder and chief executive of ImagineAR.  “Our partnership will be focused on the automobile event marketplace as well as other opportunities in North America.”

The pandemic has dramatically redefined retail both on location and online. Hygiene and physical safety are paramount, as a result, many companies are turning to AR to create virtual “try-it-on” and “try-before-you-buy” apps that allow customers to see themselves wearing products such as eyeglasses, makeup, clothing and jewelry. According to a Markets and Markets report, the AR industry had $10.7 billion in revenue in 2019 and is forecast to grow to $72.7 billion by 2024.

By using ImagineAR’s licensed AR SDK and cloud-based suite, IMP will design immersive AR engagements for manufactures that customers can attend in online virtual and future in-person automobile shows throughout North America.

In addition to on-site virtual and on-site scavenger hunts, AR will be used to place leading product experts from automobile manufacturers virtually “on location” with the consumer to provide information as either an avatar or a hologram.

“By integrating the ImagineAR platform with our IMP app, we are providing automobile shows the most advanced interactive consumer attendee engagement solution and data capture tool,” said IMP CEO Bob Kames.

The ImagineAR mobile app is available in the iOS and Android mobile app stores.

Photo: Pixabay