Amazon launches AR app that works with QR codes on packaging boxes

E-commerce giant Amazon has launched a new augmented reality application that will work with the QR codes on the shipping boxes of the company. They help to create sharable and interactive AR experiences. They are called as the Amazon Augmented Reality and the giant has called it as a fun way for the consumers who can reuse the boxes until they are ready to toss them in to the recycling bin.

A few screen shots of the app have been shared which has described that different Amazon boxes will provide different and unique activities for AR. For instance one of the screen shots has shown that a person is drawing a face on the pre-printed white pumpkin and the pumpkin comes out as a jack-o-lantern. When the QR code is scanned again, the pumpkin comes out as an AR object. There was another screen shot that has shown an AR pumpkin and the wings of a bat can be seen on an image of a dog. Another one has shown that the box turns in to a small blue AR car when the QR code is scanned.

The app store video has shown more animated characters that includes the Amazon logo and an AR corgi dog. The characters jump out playfully when the QR code is scanned. Amazon has a special feature for the iPhone users and has said that if the iPhone has the TrueDepth technology then the app can access the camera of the device which will be able to detect the facial movements and enable the features like the ‘selfie’ mode.

The app has gone live on the iOS App Store and Google Play and does not offer any functionality if it is not used with the Amazon box that supports the new QR codes. The new initiative is a part of Amazon’s ‘less Packaging, More Smiles’ campaign, where the boxes are made with less material.

Photo Credits: techcrunch