IKEA has launched a new augmented reality mobile catalogue app for its UK customers, allowing them to trial items in their home before purchasing.
The augmented reality catalogue app will allow users to place items in their home using a tablet or smartphone, even offering accurate dimensions by using the physical catalogue itself.
Customers in the UK will be able to trial IKEA furniture in their homes by placing the 2014 catalogue in the space where they wish to put the future product. Using the app they can scan the catalogue and place the object in the room.
The 2014 IKEA Catalogue app then uses the catalogue to gauge the accurate size and shape of the item, with the product then appearing on screen.
Users can then look at how the colour, shape and size of the item work in the desired room.
“When our designers and interiors experts started to think about how we could use augmented reality to help our customers, we felt that we could solve some of the very real problems they face,” said Peter Wright, Country Marketing Manager got IKEA UK and Ireland.
Currently, the app allows 90 products to be placed in the home using augmented reality. These include sofas, chairs, bookcases, chest of drawers, desks and beds.
“Our customers want to be able to test out whether the products they’ve been inspired by in our catalogue will work in their homes – particularly when it comes to larger pieces of furniture. Offering a way of using mobile technology to test products means the technology has a practical purpose and really helps customers visualise the way their homes could look.”
IKEA says its research shows 14 per cent of customers admit they’ve purchased items that are too large or small for their homes, while 70 per cent admit they don’t know how large their homes are.
The 2014 IKEA Catalogue app will be available on August 25 for Android and iOS devices.
Next, read our pick of the best mobile phones of 2013.
