Bob’s Unveils New Augmented Reality App

December 5, 2018  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The app was created in partnership with Marxent, a provider of 3D content, services, and augmented reality and virtual reality shopping solutions to furniture and DIY retailers. 

“Bob’s Discount Furniture is all about making furniture shopping fun and easy. Our new AR app takes what can be a difficult, emotional process and turns it into a positive, engaging experience,” said Scott Perry, vp, executive director of digital and omni-channel experience at Bob’s Discount Furniture. “Using the app makes our customers happy while helping them solve a problem, and that’s what Bob’s is all about.”

The company’s new app uses Marxent's MxT tracking, in combination with Apple’s ARKit Augmented Reality SDK, to deliver an unmatched combination of performance and realism. The app is available for iPads and iPhones and offers customers the ability to quickly and easily assess fit and feel in the room that they wish to furnish. An android version will also be launched in the coming months.  

“Bob’s prides itself on upholding values like integrity, transparency, and fun. The company’s culture was foremost in our minds while creating the app,” said Beck Besecker, CEO and co-founder of Marxent. “To be able to visualize furniture in their own home and determine how it works with existing furniture, gives shoppers confidence in their purchase. The magic of AR combined with having Lil’ Bob guide the customer through the experience brings the fun.”  

Bob’s currently features almost 1,000 products in the app, with more than 250 additional items coming in January. More innovation is also on the way, with Bob’s planning to roll out an in-browser interactive 3D Room Planner and in-store Virtual Reality pilot in 2019.