CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. - Ikea has launched an augmented reality (AR) application that will let people experience, experiment, and share how good design transforms any space, such as a home, office, school, or studio. Available in the Apple store, Ikea Place requires an iOS 11 to use and Ikea says its 3D products are true to scale.  

 

“Ikea Place makes it easier to make buying decisions in your own place, to get inspired and try many different products, styles, and colors in real-life settings with a swipe of your finger." sais Michael Valdsgaard, leader digital transformation at Inter Ikea Systems. "Augmented reality and virtual reality will be a total game changer for retail in the same way as the internet. Only this time, much faster."

 

Built on Apple’s new ARKit technology, Ikea Place automatically scales products with 98 percent accuracy based on room dimensions.  Marking an important milestone in the Ikea digital transformation journey, Ikea says it is one of the first home furnishing brands in the world to launch this technology, shifting the way we purchase furniture.

 

"ARKit gives us the opportunity to help shape the development of AR as an accessible tool for real-life decision making," said Valdsgaard. "AR lets us redefine the experience for furniture retail once more, in our restless quest to create a better everyday life for everyone, everywhere."

 

Ikea Place also allows users purchase the products directly through their local Ikea website, and to capture the setting in the app and share as an image or video with friends.

 

More than 2,000 Ikea products will be available in the app and is expected to play a key role in the launch of new product lines. The first release of this app focuses on larger furniture products for the living room such as sofas, armchairs, footstools, coffee tables, and storage solutions.