Get to Know Samsung
Samsung is a global leader in technology, renowned for its innovation across various industries. Among its many divisions, Samsung’s high-end appliances combine cutting-edge design with smart technology to create exceptional customer experiences.
Headquartered in Suwon, South Korea, Samsung operates in more than 74 countries with a mission to inspire the world and shape the future. The company consistently ranks as one of the most valuable global brands.
In 2024, Samsung reached $270 billion in annual revenue.
Transforming Showroom Experiences with AR
Samsung recognized the growing demand for immersive, technology-driven customer experiences, particularly in high-end appliance stores. To enhance showroom engagement and drive product discovery, Samsung hired my team to:
- Develop an augmented reality (AR) experience that brings appliances to life.
- Ensure the AR activation is intuitive and seamlessly integrates into physical store environments.
- Provide detailed, interactive product information through the experience, helping customers make informed purchase decisions.
Defining the AR Experience
Through a discovery phase with Samsung stakeholders, we identified key goals for the AR experience:
- Enhance Customer Engagement: Create an innovative, tech-savvy way for customers to learn about Samsung appliances.
- Seamless Onboarding: Leverage a QR-enabled attractor loop to effortlessly guide customers into the AR experience.
- Rich Product Information: Allow customers to aim their phones at showroom appliances to view detailed specs, features, and benefits, creating an informative and memorable experience.
The Technology
We developed a QR-enabled attractor loop that draws customers’ attention through an engaging, animated visual. When scanned, the QR code triggers the AR experience on the customer’s smartphone.
The AR experience was designed to recognize Samsung products in the showroom using object detection. When customers point their phones at a product, they unlock an interactive overlay that provides:
- Product Features: Detailed descriptions of cutting-edge features like energy efficiency, smart connectivity, and design benefits.
- Interactive Visuals: 3D models and animations that showcase appliances in action.
- Customer Benefits: Personalized messages highlighting how each appliance meets unique lifestyle needs.
Delivering the Vision
The AR experience was deployed in select high-end appliance stores. It was designed to fit seamlessly into Samsung’s branding and elevate the in-store shopping journey:
Attractor Loops: Visually appealing QR codes were strategically placed around the showroom to encourage interaction.
Immersive Experience: AR overlays allowed customers to explore products dynamically, sparking curiosity and increasing engagement.
Intuitive Navigation: The experience required no app download, ensuring frictionless onboarding.
The Results
The AR experience transformed how customers interacted with Samsung appliances:
Increased Engagement: Shoppers spent significantly more time exploring products using the AR feature.
- Increased Engagement: Shoppers spent significantly more time exploring products using the AR feature
- Better Education: Customers reported feeling more informed and confident about their choices.
- Enhanced Store Differentiation: High-end appliance stores reported higher foot traffic and positive customer feedback, positioning Samsung as an innovator in retail experiences.
Elevating Samsung’s Brand Story
By integrating AR into its high-end appliance showcases, Samsung reinforced its reputation as a forward-thinking brand that prioritizes innovation and customer engagement. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of blending digital technology with physical retail environments to create memorable, impactful experiences.
The QR-enabled AR experience is now being explored for broader implementation across Samsung’s retail ecosystem, ensuring more customers can experience the future of appliance shopping firsthand.