Using augmented and virtual reality to develop your pool sales

At the Piscine Global Europe 2016 fair, Théophane Langlais allowed us to plunge into his universe, that of augmented reality. You missed the opportunity to hear all about it? No worries: we interviewed him so we could give you the details concerning the stakes of augmented and virtual reality, in the pool and spa sector.

Augmented reality on a Logyline IT software . © Logyline

Théophane Langlais is the founder and current director of Logyline, the company he created in 2006. In 2012, Logyline started working on the virtual sphere, creating its software, exclusively for pool constructors, Logyconcept3D. A sales tool which has seduced French entrepreneurs, as well as those in USA, Brazil, New Caledonia and Tcheque Republic… and perhaps you, behind your screen, as you are reading this article.

What is augmented reality?

To put it short, Théophane Langlais defines it as “integrating virtual elements into real, existing elements”.

In the context of the software Logyconcept3D, the process is simple: “the pool constructor takes photos of the house and land, on which the future pool will be built, and then integrates the pool (as well as the deck) into these photos, thanks to the calculation of the perspective”. You thus have coherent, 3D images, between the real and the virtual, of your future project to present to your customers.

Augmented reality: a response to the current needs of customers?

The first objective of this innovation is clear, it “enables the customers to project themselves totally into their future project”, whether from the vantage point of their garden or from that of their home, incidentally. The software brings them a concrete image: that of their pool on their land. The aim is obviously to “enable them to dream and encourage them to carry their project to completion, but the objective is also to reassure them”.

Because it is not always easy to get the customer to imagine the final project, particularly in terms of volume. Are we going to build a 8×4 or a 10×5? Not easy for someone who is not used to “seeing” the difference. Here, the software enables one “to give scale to the project, so that it is possible to realize what the real dimensions of the pool, in its existing environment, will be”.

To read: What questions do customers ask when buying a pool?

Moreover, thanks to Logyconcept3D, “the pool constructor is able to accompany his customer on his/her project. For example, he will be able to advise the customer and help him/her make a choice concerning the orientation of the pool, taking into account the dominant winds or rate of sunshine”. The software thus plays the role of a pedagogical tool, or support, which allows for the integration of all the elements that are characteristic of the environment, thus shedding light on the criteria needed for the land, while simultaneously taking into consideration the wishes of the customer.

And these wishes have become more and more precise. When we think of a pool, we don’t simply imagine the pool itself. We integrate “its design, the pool furniture, the interior layout and installations, the decks which will enhance it”. In France, we are back to the classical rectangular shape, but with “an interior layout which has really evolved, with seats for example, or spa-oriented equipment (counter- current swimming)”. Logyconcept3D integrates all these elements, proposing not just a pool to its customers, but a living space in its own right.

What about the requirements of the town council?

In the context of a building permit, “the insertions into the landscape — those photos which integrate the pool and its facilities into the landscape — which were facultative before, are now frequently demanded, and have practically become mandatory”. Logyconcept3D does not only allow the customers to imagine the immersion of their pool. Indeed, it also enables “meeting the needs of the town council, who require not only one, but several images of the insertion, taken from different vantage points”. Administrative procedures are thus facilitated.

From augmented reality to the virtual headset

During the Piscine Global Europe 2016 fair, Théophane Langlais spoke of augmented reality… and of virtual reality. But what’s the difference?

A virtual headset tested on Logyline software. © Logyline

Augmented reality is based on real photos onto which 3D elements are integrated, whereas “virtual reality is created entirely on the computer”. But the major innovation of Logyline, on the Logyconcept3D, is ultimately based on the result: “the projects created using augmented reality will be viewable via a virtual reality headset”. Thanks to this headset, the customer is “immersed into the heart of his/her project captured in a 360° environment”. He/she can thus perceive the elements around him/her, and observe the entire environment in which his/her pool is installed… “simply by turning his/her head. Just as if he/she were there!”.

And this is the true novelty, because soon we will be able to experience “diving even deeper into our pool”… without getting wet of course! Implementation planned for March 2017.

Picture credits : Logyline