Augmented reality or AR technologies is shaping the future of sports. But how does it really work and how is it going to make improvements?
If you are tired of watching the same old broadcast coverage of your favorite football game, not anymore. Augmented reality (AR) is finally here to fire up your screens. From 3D AR graphic overlays and interactive games to personalized social media filters, sports fanatics from all across the globe will be thrilled to try this brand-new experience.
Use Cases of Augmented Reality in Sports
AR in sports can be traced many years back before it became popular. If you have seen quick peaks of the scoreboards on your TV screens during a basketball match, then you have seen AR. Now that it has evolved and been made more immersive, AR has made sports even more entertaining to watch. Here’s a look at the benefits of augmented reality (AR) in sports.
AR minimizes human errors
Human errors in a game can cause serious trouble. Through AR, matches may now be reviewed in case of protests. They run it in a system they call hawk-eye which is an AR solution that tracks the trajectory of an object. This near-perfect system is the go-to solution for many sports events.
AR aids in training
The training phase can be tedious and arduous so getting a little bit of support is what AR can give. AR works with a machine learning technology that can recognize body gestures and provide data in real time. Following the launch of smart glasses, athletes can already track their results upfront. Just imagine running a marathon and actually seeing your body statistics literally in front of your eyes.
AR for broadcasting
Watching your favorite major league baseball players will never be the same with AR. Skip the hassle of going to the stadium or the arena. Through volumetric and 360 videos, AR will make sure you immerse in an experience just as exciting as if you were there.
AR for social media advertising
Meta previously launched AR and its goal is to create immersive and interactive advertising. If you’re selling merchandise, AR ads for social media will allow you to display these items in 3D and let your fans try them. AR’s immersive nature allows your audiences to easily connect with you on an emotional level. Learn more about how to enhance your Facebook ads through AR here.
Other useful AR trends in your social ads are branded filters and branded effects. These allow fans to engage with you in stories or reels. TikTok branded effects and customizable filters are becoming highly relevant today and have proven to drive great results. Check sample case studies below.
Vinamilk Vietnam Branded Effects
Vinamilk’s #DelightNgonMeSay challenge encouraged users to enjoy a cooling Delight ice cream during the hottest season of the year with a drive to share videos and enter a completion. The campaign reached 69% of TikTok users in Vietnam and had 145K video creations.
LG Branded Effects
LG Life’s Good campaign was launched to give young people the opportunity to let their creativity and talent shine, calling upon aspiring, young performers to share their versions of LG’s uplifting Life’s Good message in a musical way. The campaign used a Branded Effect and accompanying hashtag challenge #lifeisgooddance. We designed it with a bespoke background filter to track body movements. The campaign saw 7B+ video views, 12M+ Branded effects panel impressions, and 2M+ video creations.
Other Useful Articles On Augmented Reality
With how fast AR has been evolving, we can only imagine what the sports industry would look like in the following years. But what’s certain is that AR will continue to flourish and more exciting developments will come.
Frequently Asked Questions About AR
What does AR mean in training?
Training for sports will be made more convenient and exciting with AR. Through AR’s machine learning capability, you may already view your progress in real-time. See how fast you ran, how many footsteps you took, or the pounds you lost upfront. No need to worry about second-guessing your progress because AR technology will make sure you record the actual results you are getting. Furthermore, through the hawk-eye system, an AR solution that tracks the trajectory of an object, will allow you to create more efficient and effective game strategies.
What are the 3 types of AR?
Marker-based AR – an early-stage AR technology that uses markers to position objects in a given space. It determines where the app will place the 3D content from the user’s point of view. Perfect examples are filters from Instagram & Facebook. Markerless AR is a more advanced AR technology where 3D objects appear while examining any existing environment without the use of an object tracking system. Location-based AR ties augmented reality to a specific location. This type of AR will help you navigate your destination with directions displayed on top your screen. Through your camera, you will be able to see the street names, nearby cafes, malls, etc.
What is AR in performance?
AR technology is promised to not only make our lives easier but also improve your performance at any given time. Many businesses have already adopted AR to help their employees work more efficiently, effectively, and accurately.
Curious about how to get started with AR?
Let VMG Digital help you. We create personalized, high-impact, and mobile-first, AR creatives for all verticals.
