Augmented reality (AR) is the next big thing in 3D app development.

Don't take it from us, though. Take it from Unity, the world's most popular game development engine.

As we've covered before, Unity is putting its weight behind AR. Big time.

The company has invested heavily in the technology and has launched a suite of tools to help creators develop cross-platform AR applications.

Exciting, right? We think so – and not for the reasons you might expect.

See, Unity has so far focused on helping developers craft impressive 3D gaming experiences. And while this is nothing to be sniffed at, AR unlocks a whole new world of possibilities.

That's because AR has many use cases outside of gaming, ranging from medical training, to business logistics, to realising the much-discussed metaverse.

Unity has these markets firmly in its sights. As its senior AR developer Dan Miller said, "in general Unity is looking outside of gaming, and we want to be there to enable these new platforms and new industries".

The best bit? The strategy is working. Unity is fast becoming the platform of choice for AR app development. And while games are on the table, it's enterprise applications that are getting the most attention.

Here are four of our favourites.

1. HoloMaps

Industry: architecture

The app in five words: 3D maps with contextual information

HoloMaps does what it says on the tin. It conjures up three-dimensional "holographic" maps using augmented reality glasses.

Users can view topography, infrastructure and buildings, rendered as realistic 3D models – and can rotate, zoom and pan the map using intuitive controls or hand gestures.

It's a simple concept, but it's enormously versatile. HoloMaps can be used by architects, city planners, construction managers and more. Put simply, if you need to visualise a concept using geographical data, HoloMaps makes it easier than ever.

Say you want to present a building concept to clients or stakeholders. Using HoloMaps, you can help them imagine how the structure will look in its real-life surroundings.

You can even overlay important contextual information onto the map. The app currently supports live weather, traffic and Twitter updates.

HoloMaps is available for the Microsoft HoloLens 2 headset and Magic Leap AR glasses.

2. 3DBear

Industry: education

The app in five words: conjure objects into the classroom

You can think of 3DBear as an AR toy box that anyone can use. But it's not all fun and games – 3DBear is built for educational use, through and through.

Users can select from hundreds of 3D models, and view them through their device's camera. Thanks to some clever AR trickery, the object appears to materialise right there in the room.

Sounds pretty fun to play around with, right? It is, for sure. But when you bring 3DBear into the classroom, its educational potential becomes instantly apparent.

Say you're explaining a scientific concept, like neutrons and electrons. Using 3DBear, you could let students view the particles in real space. Not only would this help them understand the subject matter, but it would make your lesson a whole lot more engaging.

It can help spark creativity too. Students can use the app to create their own AR scenes, which they can show to their classmates or share on social media.

The app runs on Apple and Android mobile devices. 

3. INFINITI QX50 X-Ray

Industry: car sales

The app in five words: a stroke of marketing genius

OK, that name's a bit of a mouthful. But when you understand what the app does, it will all make sense.

A few years ago, auto manufacturer INFINITI unveiled the new model of its QX50 SUV. The company wanted to show off the car's advanced engine technology, but this would mean dismantling the car on the showroom floor. Not the best look.

To get around this problem, INFINITI used Unity to create a special AR application. Customers could point a tablet at the physical car and see a 3D image of the engine parts underneath, along with impressive technical data.

To the customer, it looked like the camera was X-raying the car in real-time!

Now, if this sounds a little bit gimmicky, well… that's because it is. And it's all the better for it.

Sure, the app helped educate customers about the inner workings of the QX50. But that was never its main purpose. Instead, INFINITI sought to disrupt the traditional showroom experience and leave customers with a lasting memory of their visit.

As a marketing tool, it succeeded on every level. Very clever.

4. Kavtek

Industry: construction and real estate

The app in five words: tools for visualising interior design

Quite a few retail companies have launched AR apps to help users visualise products more effectively.

Wayfair, for instance, has an app that lets customers see the store's furniture in their own homes. This means they can check that the piece matches their décor or fits in a tight space before they buy.



This is one of the most compelling and proven uses for AR in the consumer space. And it's popular with customers too – Wayfair's app is currently rated 4.9 out of 5 on Apple's App Store.

So what's Kavtek? It's a platform that allows construction and real estate professionals – as well as consumer brands – to create these kinds of interactive AR experiences.

Kavtek goes further than most apps, too. Using the technology, users can completely remodel real homes in virtual space. For example, they can change the colour of walls and "lay" new flooring tiles, as well as place 3D furniture and fittings.

Effectively, it packages Unity's groundbreaking XR capabilities in an easy-to-use app that's built especially for industry use. Clients work alongside Kavtek to craft bespoke experiences that win leads and improve sales.

Kavtek is a bit of a poster child for Unity's cross-platform development tools, too. The app works on computers, mobile devices and VR and AR headsets.

Feeling inspired? Why not explore more industry use cases for XR technology? The next groundbreaking AR application might just be your own!