What Is Web XR, and How Can It Benefit Companies?

Technology has opened up a world of possibilities in terms of virtual experiences. One of the most exciting technologies with enormous potential to transform the world of business is WebXR. What is it? This technology allows the creation of virtual and augmented reality experiences directly on the web.

The popularity of WebXR has grown significantly in recent years. Companies and organizations increasingly leverage its benefits to create immersive and engaging customer and user experiences. For example, Google has launched several WebXR experiences on its Arts & Culture platform, where users can explore historical places and works of art in a fully immersive environment. The fashion, healthcare, and manufacturing industries have also started to virtualize their processes.

Technology continues to advance and become more accessible. Therefore, we are likely to see an increase in the use of WebXR in different fields and applications. And it’s no wonder, as immersive web experiences offer interactivity and engagement that traditional websites cannot match. By allowing users to feel like they genuinely inhabit a virtual world, even if only for a few moments, these experiences become a powerful tool for businesses.

What is Web XR?

Web XR is a set of web technologies that allow users to interact with 3D objects and virtual and augmented reality content on the web, from mobile and desktop devices, using an API specification that allows developers to create virtual and augmented reality experiences on the web, regardless of the device or platform.

It is a collection of immersive video standards that can suggest an intensified media experience or be used to combine augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Web XR focuses on implementing immersive technologies on the web and refers to a collection of web technologies that enable users to experience virtual or mixed worlds using compatible web browsers.

Definitions of WebXR by tech giants:

For Google, WebXR is a web technology set that allows users to interact with 3D objects and virtual and augmented reality content on the web from mobile and desktop devices.

According to the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), WebXR is an API specification that allows developers to create virtual and augmented reality experiences on the web, regardless of the device or platform.

How Is Web XR Used Today?

Immersive art creation with WebXR: Artists can now immerse themselves in the world of creating 3D art and immersive interactive experiences thanks to WebXR technology. This user-friendly platform allows for designing and presenting art projects online, enabling artists to reach a global audience and users to enjoy a more immersive artistic experience. Discover projects like Female Gaze, developed by Meta, that use WebXR to create stunning and accessible online artworks.

Virtual reality gaming: Video games are one of the most popular uses of WebXR. Whether playing through a web browser or a specialized application, the technology allows for a more immersive and interactive gaming experience, providing a unique opportunity for game developers to reach a wider audience.

Integration with 3D graphics libraries: WebXR enables the integration of 3D graphics libraries, such as Three.js, to create interactive virtual and augmented reality experiences on mobile devices that support ARCore. Developers can leverage existing libraries to create more advanced, high-quality virtual reality experiences.

Virtual reality tool creation: With WebXR, developers can create virtual reality tools, such as training simulators, that can be used through a web browser. This provides an easy and accessible way for companies and organizations to create and offer virtual reality experiences to their audience.

Extended reality product presentation: WebXR is used by some companies to create virtual reality product presentation experiences, allowing users to visualize and explore products in 3D. This provides an innovative way to present products to customers and enables a more interactive and exciting shopping experience.

Education and training: Virtual reality is becoming an increasingly popular tool for education and training. WebXR is a technology that facilitates the creation of 3D learning experiences. Educators and instructors can create more interactive and engaging learning environments for students, improving learning and information retention.

Benefits of Web XR for Businesses:

Improved User Experience: Web XR technology allows users to experience products and services in an immersive and interactive way, increasing customer satisfaction and leading to higher conversion rates. For example, in the retail industry, customers can try out products before purchasing them, even in online sales, which reduces the likelihood of product returns. One of the most famous cases in Mexico is Ben & Frank Optics, which uses WebXR to allow customers to try out frames before purchasing them online.

Greater Efficiency and Optimized Operations: Companies can use Web XR to simulate scenarios, train employees, and perform remote maintenance, saving time and resources. For example, companies can train their employees to use complex machinery or simulate assembly lines to identify and resolve production bottlenecks. This leads to an improvement in operational efficiency and a reduction in production costs.

Improved Communication and Collaboration: Web XR enhances communication and collaboration between teams and stakeholders, especially for remote teams. Companies can use Web XR for virtual meetings, product demonstrations, and training sessions, saving travel costs and time.

Competitive Advantage: By adopting Web XR, companies can differentiate themselves from the competition and offer customers a unique and innovative experience. This can also attract new customers and retain existing ones.

Increased Revenue and Market Growth: The Web XR market is overgrowing, and companies that adopt it can take advantage of this growth and generate more significant revenue. Statista said global metaverse market revenues were estimated at around $500 billion in 2021 and could quintuple by 2030. Companies can leverage this trend by adopting Web XR and expanding their market presence.

What Is the Difference Between WebXR and WebGL?

Technology is advancing rapidly, and every day new terms emerge that can be confusing for those unfamiliar with them. Two concepts that often need clarification are WebXR and WebGL. How do they differ?

In short, WebGL is a graphics API that converts data into pixels on the screen. At the same time, WebXR is a virtual and augmented reality API that manages the context and provides information to WebGL about how and where to draw those pixels.

To delve deeper, WebGL allows developers to create interactive 3D graphics for the web using the JavaScript programming language to interact with the computer’s GPU. This means that the browser can generate real-time 3D images.

On the other hand, WebXR allows users to access immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences directly from the browser. The technology provides information about the user’s device position and movement and the context of their scene.

Why is it important to understand the difference between these two technologies? It’s important because although WebGL is a powerful and capable technology, it is not specifically designed for virtual or augmented reality. Therefore, to create immersive experiences on the web, it is necessary to use WebXR in combination with WebGL.

How Does Web XR Work?

Web XR technology is transforming the way we experience the digital world. But how does it work exactly? Web XR comprises a set of standards that enable the creation of virtual worlds and the integration of graphical images into the real world. This way, users can access virtual and augmented reality experiences directly from the web browser without downloading additional applications or software.

What’s impressive about WebXR is that it’s an open and standard technology, meaning it’s compatible with multiple browsers and devices. This allows developers to create and share immersive experiences with ease.

So how do you create a Web XR experience? You use standard web development tools like JavaScript and WebGL. Additionally, Web XR works with hardware designed for VR or AR to support the presentation of 3D scenes. This means that hardware like VR headsets process data and sends necessary signals for Web XR to present the set in real time.

But Web XR technology continues beyond there. It also uses a set of APIs to access device sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to obtain information about the user’s position and movement. This way, Web XR can adjust the scene based on the user’s movement and create an even more immersive experience.

Thanks to the open nature of Web XR, some multiple open-source projects and platforms use this technology, allowing developers to create and share virtual and augmented reality experiences.

How To Use Web XR on Your Website

Integrating Web XR into your website can completely transform the user experience, taking them to a world of immersive and personalized sensations. Your users will be able to interact with your products and services entirely new, which can significantly increase engagement and, ultimately, sales.

To achieve this, one option is to create augmented or virtual reality demos that allow users to experience your products or services uniquely. This will give them a clear idea of how they will look and function in real life, providing the confidence they need to make more informed purchasing decisions. Additionally, these demos can be combined with interactive information, creating an experience where users can resolve any questions.

Sharing these demos on social media can also be very beneficial. It will help increase brand awareness and position you as an innovative and standout company in your market.

Web XR compatible browsers:

Ensuring your website is compatible with Web XR is essential to providing a smooth and uninterrupted user experience. It would help if you remembered that Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are the most popular browsers compatible with Web XR. Optimizing your website for these browsers ensures users can access the Web XR experience seamlessly.

Tools used to develop Web XR projects:

The tools used to develop Web XR projects are varied, and choosing the right ones for each project is essential. Programming languages like JavaScript and web development frameworks like A-Frame and Three.js allow developers to create custom virtual and augmented reality experiences for their websites. Additionally, open-source platforms will enable developers to create and share Web XR projects collaboratively, opening up various creative and innovative possibilities.

Explore the Endless Advantages of Webxr With New Discovery

Take advantage of the opportunity to immerse yourself in the exciting world of virtual experiences. WebXR technology has transformed the way businesses interact with their customers and users. Immersive web experiences offer a level of interaction and engagement that traditional websites can’t match.

This opportunity will transform your business and create unforgettable customer experiences.

Contact New Discovery Agency, a company that provides WebXR, AR, and VR solutions for businesses in any industry! Together, we can explore all the possibilities that this technology offers.