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

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

• 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

1. 3D Modeling and Design

• 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

• 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

• 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