Virtual Reality (VR) showrooms

Description: VR showrooms offer the highest form of immersion, as the user wears a headset and is completely immersed in the virtual environment. Products can be presented in real size and the user has the feeling of really moving around the room.

Emotion and immersion: A virtual tour with VR glasses creates significantly more emotion and immersion than viewing on a flat screen. Users experience the feeling of actually being there, which can significantly strengthen the emotional connection to the product or brand.

Technologies: VR headsets like the Meta Quest, HTC Vive or PICO. Development often takes place with Unity or the Unreal Engine.

Use cases: More intensive product presentations, simulations, immersive training.

Advantages:

• Maximum immersion: In-depth experience that appeals to all the senses.
• Unique user experience: Differentiation from competitors through innovative forms of presentation.
• Strong emotional connection: Increased customer loyalty through an intensive experience.

Disadvantages:

• Higher effort and costs: implementation and support require more resources.
• Hardware requirements: VR headsets are required, which means initial investment.
• Ease of use: Many people still have little experience with VR glasses.
• Barriers to access: Not every potential customer owns a VR headset.

Cost factors for VR showrooms: The costs are similar to interactive 3D showrooms, but there are specific challenges. To ensure a smooth VR experience, a constant high frame rate must be achieved. This requires careful optimization of the 3D models and the entire scene. Complex models often need to be simplified without compromising the visual quality, which means additional effort.

Augmented reality (AR) showrooms

Description: Extension of the user's real environment with digital information and objects displayed on smartphones or tablets.

Technologies: ARKit (Apple) and ARCore (Google).

Use cases: Virtual furniture placement, interactive catalogs.

Advantages: Connection of real and digital world, no additional hardware required.

Disadvantages: Limited display options, depending on device performance.

Costs of a virtual showroom

The costs for a virtual showroom can vary greatly and depend on several factors:

Type of showroom:

• 360-degree tours with static images: From about 3.000 € for easy tours.
• 360-degree tours with video integration: Between 6,000 € and 10,000 €depending on the video length and quality.
• Interactive 3D showrooms: Costs start from 10.000 €. The number and level of detail of the exhibits as well as existing digital data such as CAD models influence the costs.
• Virtual Reality (VR) showrooms: Prices start at 20.000 €. Additional requirements for the optimization of 3D models increase costs.
• Augmented reality (AR) showrooms: Start with 15.000 € and increase with complexity.

Other factors:

• Scope and complexity: More content and greater interactivity increase costs.
• Technical requirements: Cross-platform compatibility and performance optimization are cost-relevant.
• Content creation: High-quality 3D models and professional shots are time-consuming.
• Additional services: Project management, testing and maintenance cause further costs.
• Hardware and support: Costs for VR headsets and trained staff must be taken into account.

Tips for cost efficiency

• Use existing digital data: Using CAD models can save time and money.
• Clear target definition: A detailed briefing helps to avoid unnecessary functions.
• Step-by-step implementation: Start with a basic project and expand it as required.
• Offer comparison: Obtain several offers in order to know the usual market prices.
• Optimization for target hardware: Targeted optimization of the models can avoid additional costs.

Conclusion

The cost of a virtual showroom depends on the specific requirements and the desired range of functions. For interactive 3D and especially VR showrooms, the number and level of detail of the exhibits as well as the necessary optimizations for a smooth display have a significant impact on the costs. The use of existing digital data such as CAD models can reduce costs.

While simple 360-degree tours can be realized with a small budget, complex VR experiences require a larger investment. It is important to clearly define the objective and keep an eye on the cost-benefit ratio.