Introduction to AfricArena 2018
The AfricArena 2018 conference was a groundbreaking event that brought together Africa’s most progressive start-ups and investors. This 12 months’s conference was endorsed by several distinguished firms, including Silicon Cape, Vinci Energies, AirFrance, Engie, Sanofi, Leroy Merlin, the City of Cape Town, and RCS Group. The event provided a platform for over 70 start-ups from across the continent to compete in 11 open innovation challenges, with the goal of impressing 15 corporates and over 150 investors.
The Leroy Merlin Challenge
Leroy Merlin, a multinational DIY home improvements retailer, recently opened its first store in Johannesburg, South Africa. At AfricArena 2018, Leroy Merlin challenged three South African start-ups to create an progressive solution that might allow potential customers to explore their showrooms through an immersive experience, without the necessity for a physical store. This challenge was a chance for start-ups to showcase their creativity and progressive pondering.
The Winner: bizAR Reality
bizAR Reality, a specialist in augmented and virtual reality, emerged because the winner of the Leroy Merlin challenge. Their proposal and pitch impressed each the judges and the live audience, demonstrating the potential of augmented and virtual reality to redefine the client journey. bizAR Reality highlighted that these technologies can offer more informative, interactive, and immersive experiences than ever before.
The Proposed Solution
The proposed solution consisted of two predominant points:
- Using Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality smart glasses, bizAR would create an in-store ‘pop up’ solution that enables users to see 3D models of Leroy Merlin’s products as in the event that they were physically in front of them.
- Through an augmented reality mobile application, users would have the opportunity to enjoy a take-away experience, giving them the flexibility to view products inside their actual homes.
Partnership and Future Plans
Richard Melvin, co-founder and sales and marketing director of bizAR Reality, expressed his enthusiasm for constructing a long-lasting partnership with Leroy Merlin South Africa. He believes that their custom augmented and virtual reality solution will help Leroy Merlin reinvent the client journey and gain a competitive edge available in the market.
Join the Augmented and Virtual Revolution
bizAR Reality has worked with several large brands across various industries, creating value-driven and award-winning applications. Businesses can learn learn how to leverage this technology to boost their customer experience and stay ahead of the competition. For more information, firms can reach out to bizAR Reality’s team to explore the probabilities of augmented and virtual reality.
Conclusion
The AfricArena 2018 conference demonstrated the progressive spirit and talent of African start-ups, with bizAR Reality’s winning solution showcasing the potential of augmented and virtual reality to rework the client experience. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses to remain ahead of the curve and explore latest ways to have interaction with their customers. The way forward for retail and customer experience is more likely to be shaped by immersive technologies, and firms like bizAR Reality are leading the way in which.
