Augmented reality is hot

Kochi: IT-enabled augmented and virtual reality industry is slated to be a $150 billion company in 2020, and two Kerala start- ups are eyeing a share in the pie.

Augsys, a Kottayam-based augmented reality startup has developed an app that will be a tool for retail companies to attract their footfall.

“Augmented reality is about overlaying a piece of information on a existing platform or a real object,” explains Jomis Kakozhayil, co-founder.

“We have developed a gaming app, Hearties, which helps retail companies drive customers to their shops. It can offer customised, location-specific games which will ensure that the participants visit the store to collect their prizes.”

Jomis, who has returned from the US to set up the company, says world’s gaming leaders such as Sony, and Disney are working on augmented reality products.

VRNXT, founded by Varun Priyan, has developed the prototype of a hardware which makes use of an app, a mobile phone and a headset to create powerful marketing tools based on virtual reality. It has applications in a number of segments, Mr Priyan pointed out.

“A builder can have the app that gives the prospective customer a feel of the place he builds without visiting the place,” he said.