Technology and customer service is once again merging to change the way things are done. We are living in the times where chatbots are providing customer service and augmented reality is set to become part of service delivery. AR/VR has begun to interest major companies as a way of improving capabilities and reaching more consumers.
Due to this, a growing number of businesses, even those outside of gaming and entertainment are testing and adopting AR and VR technologies. Let’s look at what this means for product delivery and services.
What is augmented and virtual reality?
Virtual reality is a technology that allows a user to perceive and engage with a simulated environment. The environment may be either realistic or fanciful.
Augmented reality is a technology that overlays information onto a user’s field of view as they perceive the real world. The information typically informs the user about an object or place at which they are looking.
Mixed reality is technically a subset of augmented reality, this technology enables the perceived merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualisations where computer-generated digital objects and information and real objects can co-exist and interact with one another.
AR or VR is typically experienced through smartphones and tablets, smart glasses, and head-mounted headsets to provide these immersive experiences.
How is AR changing the delivery game?
Here are some of the ways that AR can change the way you deliver.
Identifying & Handling Parcels
Camera-equipped mobile smart devices with AR functionality are capable of reading and tagging parcels in seconds via barcode scanning, making it incredibly easy for delivery drivers to distinguish the correct boxes for deliveries. This will accelerate late minute deliveries and lessen the potential for human error.
Additionally, with the innovations in wearable scanning devices, delivery drivers can analyse parcel information without holding a smartphone or other device, freeing up their hands to quickly and safely handle the correct boxes.
Checking Parcels Right Before Delivery
Many delicate parcels are vulnerable to damages and environmental conditions, such as temperature changes. If these items are not checked properly before delivery, they can negatively impact customer satisfaction and service.
Fortunately, with mobile computer vision-enabled smart devices featuring augmented reality, delivery drivers can easily recognise and address delivery exceptions.
Dynamic Traffic Support
Navigation is one of the most time-consuming aspects of package delivery. As consumer demands for an accurate and punctual delivery increase, it’s never been more important to improve daily delivery routes.
Additionally, due to frequently changing conditions, it’s almost difficult for drivers to plan out efficient routes on their own. Thankfully, the same AR-compatible smart devices that help with parcel identification can be used to streamline navigation efforts through GPS technology. Delivery drivers can leverage their mobile smart device to gain fast insights into current traffic and road conditions, allowing them to plan out optimised delivery routes on the fly.
Personalising delivery
AR can also provide a more personalised experience for consumers when having a package delivered. Hermes, a consumer delivery company in the UK, aims to make package deliveries more personalised and meaningful by providing the sender with a way to connect to the recipient via a personal video message.
Consumers are able to use Hermes Play, which allows senders to pre-record a personal message, upload it via the Hermes Send app. This creates a 2D barcode (similar to a QR code) and its added to the parcel label and the recipient is able to scan this barcode with their phone or tablet to view the video message. This allows the video to be played using AR by playing it on top of the parcel itself.
When stimulated reality becomes real.
With technology revolutions continuing to change the way we live our daily lives, AR no longer seems out of reach. Additionally, with product delivery becoming more effective and user-friendly, your only problem will be making space for those deliveries!
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