The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

Understanding the Process: Double Fermentation

Continuing our series on coffee processing, we learn about double fermentation, a term that can refer to several different processes. BY TANYA NANETTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos courtesy of Cafe Imports Editor’s note: Check out other entries in our “Understanding the Process“ series here. When exploring the wonderful world of high-quality coffee, you’ll discover that no […]


U.S. Coffee Championships 2023 Denver Qualifiers Reach New Heights

The next group of coffee champions moves on to nationals at the Denver qualifiers. BY KATE VAN PETTENSPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE Photos by Matthew Temple and courtesy of Specialty Coffee Association The high-flying world of U.S. CoffeeChamps competitions reached new heights as coffee professionals flocked to the Denver qualifiers for the 2023 season, hosted in […]


U.S. Coffee Championships 2023 Denver Qualifiers Reach New Heights

The next group of coffee champions moves on to nationals at the Denver qualifiers. BY KATE VAN PETTENSPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE Photos by Matthew Temple and courtesy of Specialty Coffee Association The high-flying world of U.S. CoffeeChamps competitions reached new heights as coffee professionals flocked to the Denver qualifiers for the 2023 season, hosted in […]


3 Elements Coffee: Supporting Veterans, One Cup at a Time  

The Australian roasting company helps to create opportunities for veteran communities.  BY VASILEIA FANARIOTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos courtesy of 3 Elements Coffee  Brisbane, Australia-based 3 Elements Coffee, founded by Navy veteran Terry McNally in 2016, has a mission to support the transition of ex-military personnel into the commercial workspace. To help achieve their goal and raise […]

The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

An In-Depth Look at Gruppo Cimbali’s Coffee Technician Wheel

The Coffee Technician Wheel is a new tool that helps technicians understand the complexity of coffee extraction. BY VASILEIA FANARIOTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos courtesy of Edgardo Ferrero and Espresso Academy Coffee technicians are responsible for a complex set of tasks related to the production and extraction of coffee. They manage customer requests and need to […]


In Tbilisi, Parsek1 Merges Comic Books with Specialty Coffee

We take a look at how this innovative café has changed the face of comics and coffee in the capital of Georgia. BY VASILEIA FANARIOTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos courtesy of Parsek1 When it comes to coffee and comic books, Japan is a longtime leader in the field. Manga cafés have been around for decades, combining […]


Girlsplaining Workshop Unites Women in Coffee in Quito, Ecuador

Meet Camila Khalifé, the brains behind Girlsplaining, a unique coffee learning experience with an emphasis on creating space for women in the industry. BY JORDAN BUCHANANSPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE Photos courtesy of Camila Khalifé Men may hold most of the positions of authority and teaching roles within the specialty-coffee industry, but Camila Khalifé, the owner […]


Breaking New Ground: A Sicilian Coffee Plantation, Part 2

The Morettino family has successfully cultivated a coffee plantation right in Sicily. Next on the agenda: making the island an international coffee hub. BY JOSEPH PHELANSPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE Feature photo by Tomas Anton Escobar via Unsplash Editor’s note: Check out part one of this story here. Andrea Morettino’s family has proven that coffee […]

The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

Coffee News Recap, 26 Jan: Researchers create new genetic map to “future proof” arabica production, UAE & Italian Coffee Champions crowned at WoC Dubai and SIGEP & other stories

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week. Here are this week’s coffee news stories. The word of the week is: competitions. Mon, 22 Jan Timemore launches crowdfunding campaign for upcoming Millab E01 portable electric coffee grinder. The wireless electric coffee grinder features a 5,000 mAh lithium battery […]


Toronto’s Pilot Coffee Roasters Acquiring Bridgehead Coffee for $3.6 Million

Toronto, Ontario-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer Pilot Coffee Roasters is acquiring Ottawa-based Bridgehead Coffee in a deal worth approximately US$3.6 million.  Bridgehead, which has 21 coffee shop locations throughout…


Brewing at Home and on the Road with Justin Pierce

In this series, we ask coffee professionals how they like to drink their coffee while at home and when traveling. BY TANYA NANETTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Feature photo courtesy of Justin Pierce Coffee professionals tend to spend most of their days brewing coffee. Baristas brew coffee behind the bar for their customers. Roasters brew it to […]


A Recap of The Barista League’s Mystery Coffee Vacation in Colombia

The Barista League’s Mystery Coffee Vacation in Colombia is over, and we’ve got the scoop on all the fun! BY VASILEIA FANARIOTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos courtesy of Vasileia Fanarioti and Juan Henao During the last week of February, the 2022 Barista League champions gathered in Colombia for this year’s Mystery Coffee Vacation. It was an […]

The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

4 Cool Cafés to Try Out in Kuala Lumpur

The Malaysian capital is often visited in a hurry, but visitors who take the time to explore will discover a welcoming city, thanks in part to its friendly specialty cafés. BY TANYA NANETTI SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos by Tanya Nanetti Kuala Lumpur, the capital...

What I Learned from My First Tea Ceremony

After taking in a brief moment of a tea ceremony in Thailand, I finally had the chance to participate in the full experience recently in Malaysia. BY TANYA NANETTI SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos by Tanya Nanetti In the years that I worked as a barista in a café,...

Does specialty Robusta exist?

Hello! Has anyone tried 'specialty robusta'? I work with specialty cacao, and I often observe Robusta shrubs being cultivated at lower altitudes alongside cacao trees. Some farmers are experimenting with carbonic maceration to enhance the marketability of...

[MOD] The Daily Question Thread

Welcome to the daily /r/Coffee question thread! There are no stupid questions here, ask a question and get an answer! We all have to start somewhere and sometimes it is hard to figure out just what you are doing right or doing wrong. Luckily, the /r/Coffee community...

Coffee Machine (High density use)

Hi everyone, i am new in this coffee world and i am looking to buy me a coffee machine to setup a small business. I am looking for affordable machine that is good for high density use. Im open for any recommendation and opinion. Thank you guys! Here is what ive found...

Which to buy first?

Hi there, mostly a lurker until now. I'm trying to incentivize myself towards some goals and decided that rewarding myself with a better coffee set up upon reaching those goals would be great. I plan to get myself one nice thing when I reach my intermediate goal...

[MOD] The Official Deal Thread

Welcome to the /r/Coffee deal and promotional thread! In this weekly thread, industry folk can post upcoming deals or other promotions their companies are holding, or promote new products to /r/Coffee subscribers! Regular users can also post deals they come across....

Third Wave Coffee brands

Greetings to all, I am reaching out to this knowledgeable community with a query regarding the recognition of coffee brands within the third wave coffee movement. Is there an existing, publicly accessible list that categorizes and acknowledges coffee brands as part of...

The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative force, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. As we step into 2024, statistics show that AR is poised to redefine the way we experience and interact with the world around us.

Today, we’re exploring the current state of AR technology, its emerging trends, and the potential impact it holds for the coffee industry.

A glimpse into the transformative capabilities of augmented reality, which blurs the lines between the physical and digital realms. Photo via Unsplash.

Diverse Industries Embracing AR for Interactive Experiences

Augmented reality technology overlays digital information, such as images, videos, or 3D models, onto the real-world environment. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in a completely virtual environment, AR enhances the physical world by adding digital elements.

AR is typically experienced through devices like smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses, offering users a blended experience where the virtual and real coexist seamlessly. This technology opens up seemingly endless possibilities for interactive and immersive experiences across diverse industries.

For example, Walmart, in collaboration with media giants like DC Comics and Marvel, introduced exclusive superhero-themed AR experiences in select stores, transforming static objects into dynamic, interactive displays. AR can also be used as an educational tool, as demonstrated by Toyota and Hyundai, both of which have used it to showcase complex car features. Cosmetic brands like L’Oréal and Sephora use AR to offer realistic previews of different makeup products on customers’ faces.

The immersive journey of AR extends beyond screens, paving the way for a future where technology seamlessly integrates into our surroundings through various tools such as goggles. Photo via Unsplash.

Augmented Reality in the Coffee Industry

In the hospitality sector, AR is revolutionizing customer experiences. Virtual menus and interactive ordering systems are becoming commonplace, enhancing customer engagement and streamlining service. In the coffee industry, enhancing the customer experience is paramount. AR is paving the way for coffee enthusiasts to explore the origin of their favorite beans through interactive displays.

Imagine a coffee shop where customers can use AR apps to scan QR codes on coffee bags, revealing information about the beans’ origin, processing methods, and flavor profiles. This immersive experience adds a layer of storytelling to each cup, fostering a deeper connection between consumers and their coffee.

To offer an example, Victoria and Amy Kihnke, founders of Pure Origin Coffee, recently initiated an AR campaign aimed at sharing the compelling stories of their coffee growers. The innovative packaging they’ve introduced enables the incorporation of video testimonials directly from their farming partners.

Breville redefines the coffee machine experience by integrating augmented reality into their product showcases. Photo courtesy of Breville.

Companies Brewing Success with AR

Several forward-thinking companies in the coffee industry have embraced augmented reality to elevate their offerings. Coffee machine manufacturers Breville, La Marzocco and Gaggia have harnessed AR technology to enhance the consumer experience, and have integrated it into their product showcases.

This allows potential buyers to virtually place coffee machines within their own kitchen spaces, offering a realistic preview of how these appliances would seamlessly fit into their daily lives. By leveraging AR in this manner, manufacturers facilitate an informed decision-making process for consumers, eliminating the need for guesswork and ensuring that the chosen coffee machine aligns perfectly with the customer’s preferences and kitchen aesthetic.

Prospective buyers can virtually place coffee machines in their kitchens, ensuring a perfect fit for their preferences. Photo courtesy of La Marzocco.

Lavazza, on the other hand, is capitalizing on AR for customer care and maintenance. In 2021, the company joined forces with the video cloud platform SightCall to integrate augmented reality technology into its customer care and maintenance services for coffee machines. Leveraging SightCall’s AR interface, Lavazza’s dedicated customer service agents can remotely provide assistance by drawing, pointing, and highlighting directly on the customer’s device. This advanced approach proves particularly effective in addressing various support issues, including tasks like machine descaling.

The Shifting Landscape: Accessibility Driving AR Integration

While immersive technologies like AR have faced initial barriers to adoption, the imminent launch of Apple’s mixed reality glasses signifies a potential turning point. As these devices—capable of both virtual and augmented reality experiences—become more accessible, the integration of immersive technologies into our everyday lives is inevitable.

Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed reality glasses, are poised to be a game-changer for the integration of AR in everyday life. Photo via Unsplash.

The adoption of AR has faced initial barriers, especially in terms of cost. However, the upcoming accessibility of mixed reality devices signals a promising shift. Although currently AR technology is considered a substantial investment, its increasing availability is poised to lower barriers to adoption. This will allow more players in the coffee industry to harness its transformative capabilities.

The coffee industry, with its commitment to innovation, is well-positioned to embrace and leverage these technologies, ensuring that immersive experiences become an integral part of the daily coffee ritual, connecting us with our favorite brews in unprecedented ways.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work. You can follow her adventures at thewanderingbean.net.

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The post The Potential of Augmented Reality Technology for the Coffee Industry appeared first on Barista Magazine Online.

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