How Capgemini leveraged AR to showcase 5G capabilities in an immersive Experience Center

Immersive Tech

Pallavi jain

5 min

Oct 3, 2024

Partnering with Ink In Caps, Capgemini created an interactive 5G Experience Center to demonstrate their global stack of services, products, and integration capabilities. The center provides a customized user journey with micro touchpoints, enhancing retention and helping clients understand 5G benefits in their specific business verticals.

  • 3000 sq ft space transformed into an interactive 5G Experience Center

  • AR technology used to create immersive industry-specific demonstrations

  • Real-time 5G capabilities showcased through user-generated content

The Opportunity Creating an immersive showcase for 5G technology

Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology services, and digital transformation, identified an opportunity in 2019 as 5G was being rolled out in India. They saw this as the perfect moment to showcase their global stack of services, products, and integration capabilities through execution, case studies, services, and client implementations. This is done by:

1. Applied Innovation Labs: Concentrating on Capgemini's core strengths.

2. Experimental Lab Wing: Annually focusing on emerging micro-topics such as 5G, AI, Metaverse, and other cutting-edge technologies.

The Challenge

While this wealth of information and expertise could have been presented through traditional means like slides or presentations, Capgemini recognized that such methods wouldn't capture the transformative nature of 5G technology. The challenge was to create an experience that would:

1. Showcase the full potential of 5G

2. Demonstrate Capgemini's expertise across industries

3. Allow clients to envision 5G applications in their specific sectors

4. Create a memorable, interactive experience to drive sales and partnerships

The Solution: An Immersive 5G Experience Center

The Mandate

It was to set up a 3000 sq ft Experience Center in their Airoli Campus, Mumbai, focusing solely on the 5G stack. This wasn't just about displaying technology; it was about crafting an experience that would resonate with clients and showcase Capgemini's global capabilities.

Strategic Approach

1. Industry Focus

We conducted a deep dive into Capgemini's case studies and identified three key industries:

  • Manufacturing

  • Industrial and Mining

  • Retail

Why these industries? 

  • Capgemini had the most extensive exposure to these sectors globally.

  •  In India, these industries were booming and primed for early 5G adoption.

   - They represented a diverse range of 5G applications, from industrial IoT to consumer-facing technologies.

2. User Journey Design

We began with a thorough recce of the space, identifying zones and potential user flows. Our design considered multiple scenarios:

  • Single delegate visits

  • Multiple visitors from the same company

  • Guided tours by one or multiple Capgemini representatives

This approach ensured flexibility and personalization, crucial for catering to diverse client needs and group sizes. We took all the scenarios into consideration while planning, for example what would be the user journey when there is a rare scenario of a single delegate visiting the Center or when multiple people from the same company visit the Center. All the user journeys were treated with a unique approach.

3. Modular Space Design 

To maximize interactivity in a limited space, we developed a modular design concept. This allowed us to:

  •  Increase the number of touchpoints

  •  Showcase multiple services and technologies

  •  Adapt the space for various use cases and group sizes

4. Technology Selection

After evaluating various options like interactive walls, swipe-and-share interfaces, and VR, we chose Augmented Reality (AR) as our primary technology. Why AR?

  •  It offered a unique experience different from usual showcases

  •  Allowed for seamless integration of physical and digital elements

  •  Enabled users to explore micro-details at their own pace

  •  Provided flexibility to showcase complex, interconnected systems intuitively

The Experience Center Layout

Plenary Area

  • Purpose: Set the context and generate excitement

  • Features: Multi-sofa seating, curved LED screen

This area serves as an introduction, preparing visitors for the immersive journey ahead. It's designed to accommodate both intimate discussions and larger group presentations.

AR Portal

  • A 6ft portal print with 5G branding

  • AR Experience: 

  • Showcases Capgemini's global reach

  •  Transforms into a "Portal to the Future"

  • Reveals a vast, 5G-enabled cityscape

Key Elements:

  •      - Interconnectivity and low latency visualization

  •      - Real-scale implementation of 5G hardware (e.g., millimeter wave towers)

  •      - Edge and cloud computing infrastructure

  •      - Futuristic transport (flying taxis, autonomous buses)

  •      - Beautiful, hyper-connected skyline

This portal serves as a powerful, visually stunning representation of 5G's transformative potential, allowing clients to step into the future.

Industry-Specific AR Walls

Three 8ft by 4ft structures focusing on smart mining, smart manufacturing, and smart retail. Each wall features:

  • Miniature, accurate representations of industry environments

  • Interactive 3D elements that extend beyond the wall

  • Detailed explanations of use cases through a category and subcategory system

  • 1-minute explanatory videos for each use case

Custom scripts for category and subcategory explanations, ensuring all users could understand the use cases in a highly interactive format.

Smart Mining

Smart Mining
  • Showcased automated machines operated remotely without physical human intervention

  • Demonstrated how 5G's high throughput and low latency enable wireless operations across the entire mine

  • Illustrated autonomous path-finding for vehicles when encountering roadblocks

  • Highlighted real-time alerts, reduced equipment downtime, and seamless scaling

Smart Factory

  • Explained factory automation and interconnected robotic arms and machinery through IoT

  • Demonstrated real-time communication between machines using 5G's high bandwidth and low latency

  • Showcased centralized command units displaying factory efficiency, operations, and blockages

  • Illustrated wireless streaming of all camera feeds

Smart Retail

  • Demonstrated real-time user behavior data collection in retail environments

  • Showcased photogrammetry in retail setups for product visualization

  • Illustrated volumetric rendering streamed to users' homes for seamless decision-making

  • Featured smart shelves, automatic dispensing, autonomous checkout trays, and holographic representation at the user's home 

    Business Impact:

  • Enhanced customer experience through personalization

  • Streamlined operations and inventory management

  • Bridging the gap between online and offline retail

Live 5G Demo Area

Concept: User-generated content showcase

Features:

  • Modular walls converting to a green screen setup

  • Custom app for real-time 4K video streaming and processing

  • On-premise cloud processing for background removal and customization

  • Instant recording and sharing capabilities

Strategic Value:

  • Demonstrates real-world 5G capabilities in action

  • Creates personalized, shareable content for visitors

  • Showcases Capgemini's technical expertise in real-time processing and edge computing

Technical Implementation

1. 3D Modeling and Design

CapGemini.00 01 42 15.Still043
  • Tools: Blender (low-poly isometric styling)

  • Texturing: Custom work in Photoshop, procedural texturing

  • Advanced Materials: Substance Painter for PBR (Physically-Based Rendering)

  • Animations: Custom work in Maya

2. AR Development

AR Portal 2
  • Primary Platform: Unity for scene consolidation and optimization

  • AR Integration: Apple's AR Kit

  • Object Tracking: Vuforia for seamless integration with physical elements

3. Optimization Challenges

Goal: Create an extremely optimized scene for long-duration AR experiences

Focus Areas:

  • Battery life conservation

  • Smooth performance without lag

  • Handling complex scenes on mobile devices

4. Content Creation

content Creation
  • Custom scripts and voiceovers for each category and subcategory

  • 3D-aided setups for visual explanations

  • Emphasis on making complex 5G implementations understandable to all users

Strategic Outcomes and Impact

1. Immersive Client Education

  • Clients gain a tangible understanding of 5G's potential in their specific industries

  • Complex technologies made accessible through interactive experiences

2. Showcasing Capgemini's Expertise

  • Demonstrates not just knowledge of 5G, but ability to implement complex, integrated solutions

  • Positions Capgemini as a forward-thinking, innovative partner in digital transformation

3. Sales Enablement

  • The Experience Center serves as a powerful tool in the sales process

  • Helps move conversations from theoretical to practical applications of 5G

4. Brand Differentiation

  • Sets Capgemini apart from competitors with a unique, immersive showcase

  • Demonstrates thought leadership in emerging technologies

5. Future-Ready Positioning

  • The modular nature of the center allows for updates as 5G technology evolves

  • Establishes Capgemini as a go-to partner for future 5G implementations

CapGemini0549 (1)

Conclusion

Capgemini's 5G Experience Center is more than just a showcase of technology; it's a strategic tool that positions the company at the forefront of the 5G revolution. By creating an immersive, interactive experience, Capgemini has not only demonstrated its technical expertise but also its ability to envision and create the future of various industries.

About the Author


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virtual reality
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virtual reality
    virtual reality
    Productivity
    Minimalist
    Quality
    conference
    Growth
    Security Token
    virtual reality

About the Author


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