How Airbnb could use ARKit for awesome apartment maps

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Airbnb ARKit
ARKit could revolutionize apps like Airbnb.
Photo: Isil Uzum

Developers are already finding some incredible uses for ARKit that will change the way we do things with our iPhone. In the impressive concept below, one product designer shows how awesome AR maps could be used by Airbnb to show guests around their accommodation.

You only have to take a look at the demos developers have created to get a feel for how game-changing augmented reality will be. In just a few short weeks, they’ve created games that come alive in the real world, and utility apps like tape measures that actually work.

AR has been around for years, but it hasn’t properly taken off yet. We’re betting ARKit, which makes it easier than ever to build AR apps for iPhone, will change that. Here’s one way it could be used by Airbnb to improve the experience for hosts and guests.

Designer Isil Uzum has mocked up an Airbnb app that uses AR maps to show guests around their accommodation. Hosts create the map by walking around their apartment and “pinning” rooms and important items — like the thermostat or first aid kit.

Guests can then see exactly where these things are as they walk around with their iPhone. The maps can be combined with videos that demonstrate how certain things — like the thermostat or alarm system — are operated.

“Seeing the amenities list as selectable titles (or pins on AR Map) would also remind the host what info to include,” Uzum explains. “She also could edit the titles or add a new one not included in amenities.”

It’s an incredible concept that perfectly demonstrates how ARKit could be used to create even greater apps. And this is just a preview of things to come; in time, developers will find new ways of using the technology that we’ve never seen before.

It’s interesting that AR has been around for years, yet we’ve never seen it used like this. Do you remember ever seeing similar demos using AR on Android? I certainly don’t.

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