I want a method to encourage quick interaction with a QR code. Essentially, when someone points their phone at the QR code, an augmented reality (AR) animation should appear. Here’s an example to illustrate what I have in mind:
Imagine a person walking down the street who is unfamiliar with AR and doesn’t have an AR camera app installed on their phone. They come across a QR code and out of curiosity, scan it with their phone’s camera, which redirects them to their browser. I’d like this person to be able to see 3D images popping out of the QR code through their browser’s camera. Is there a way to achieve this?
Achieving exactly what you described with current web technology isn’t possible.
Reasons:
QR Codes and Browsers: QR codes store data like URLs. When scanned with a camera app, the phone redirects you to the encoded website or information. Browsers themselves don’t have built-in AR capabilities.
Alternative Approaches to Encourage Interaction:
Here are some alternative methods to achieve a similar level of engagement with QR codes:
QR Code with Landing Page & AR Experience:
Scannable QR Code: Use a normal QR code that links to a mobile landing page.
Landing Page with Instructions: The landing page should explain AR and instruct users to download a specific AR app compatible with your campaign.
AR App Delivers the Experience: Once the user downloads and opens the AR app, they can point the phone at the QR code again (or a designated image) to trigger the 3D animation or AR experience.
Animated QR Codes (Newer Technology):
A-Frame or WebXR: These newer web development frameworks allow for some basic animations within a scanned QR code using a smartphone browser.
Limited Capabilities: While not a full AR experience, these methods can create some movement or animation within the QR code itself, grabbing user attention.
Interactive QR Codes with Static Images:
QR Code with Call to Action: Use a standard QR code with a text overlay like “Scan and See the Magic!”
Static Image with Depth: When scanned, the user gets directed to a webpage with a static image that uses clever design to create an illusion of depth or movement.
As someone who has researched extensively on QR Code augmented reality, I can confidently say that it is possible to use a QR Code to access augmented reality experiences without needing any additional software. This is achieved through the use of web-based augmented reality (WebAR) technologies like AR.js, which allows developers to implement AR on websites without requiring users to download any apps. By scanning a QR Code, users can access AR experiences directly in their browser, using their smartphone’s camera and screen to display 3D models, animations, and interactive content. This technology is supported on a wide range of devices, including iOS and Android devices, as well as AR/VR headsets, making it accessible to a broad audience. Additionally, platforms like RealityBLU and AR Code provide tools and interfaces to create and manage AR experiences, making it easier for users to engage with AR content without needing any additional software