Rebuild the World with Snapchat and Lego’s Augmented Reality Experience
In 2021, Snapchat introduced a new type of augmented reality lens, called “Connected Lenses,” which allows Snapchat users to connect and enjoy an AR experience or game together — even if they’re not in the same physical space.
To show off this technology, the company partnered with Lego for its first Connected Lens, which allows users to build a Lego model in augmented reality together, whether that’s in the same room or through the internet from around the world.
The world of Lego is timeless primarily because everyone can build a wide variety of amazing things with the simple component blocks from the classic toymaker.
Oddly, when you visit the Lego website, you’ll have a difficult time finding any information about the new AR version of Lego, which is why we thought it would be helpful to point Lego fans toward how to begin building immersively within Snapchat.
The “Rebuild the World Lens” can be accessed by visiting this direct link or via the Snapcode. Once enabled, the Lens immediately presents you with three ways to begin building: Solo, With Friends, and With People Nearby.
The Solo option, as its name indicates, allows you to quickly begin building with virtual Lego blocks in AR alone in any space. The process is definitely designed for Lego beginners, as the Lens gives you a simple four-piece process necessary to complete the car, after which the animation kicks in, and you can see it rolling down a virtual street.
But the real Lego spirit starts afterward when you’re prompted to customize the virtual scenery with Lego foliage, animals, and various sizes of Lego blocks in four different colors, with up to 30 pieces available. Although the entire process is virtual, there’s nevertheless a familiar kind of lock-in-place “click” that accompanies each Lego that’s set in place.
If you want to share the building experience, you can restart the Lens and select the With Friends option. This allows you to select any of your Snapchat friends and sent them an invite to begin building with you.
Finally, the Lens also offers a With People Nearby option. While the With Friends option is geared toward letting you build virtual Lego constructs with people in remote locations, the With People Nearby is specifically meant to facilitate building Lego constructs with people who are in the same room/space as you.
To get this going, the Lens prompts you to scan your local environment. The scan’s success is highlighted by tiny yellow balls shown where tracking is being locked in. Once that’s done, the Lens creates a new Snapcode that your nearby friend can scan to instantly join the same tracked virtual space and you can begin building together.
If you are reading this article, there are many ideas going around your mind now, let’s work together to make them a reality! Get to know XR Technologies and the variety of experiences you can give to your customers.
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