Australians can now more readily explore and view properties in virtual reality, via the realestate VR app launched by realestate.com.au, on Daydream, Google’s high quality, mobile virtual reality platform.
Australia’s first dedicated virtual reality property app on Daydream features a range of active realestate.com.au listings, allowing consumers to walk through their potential next home, in their own time. The number of properties available in VR is set to increase as the technology is more widely adopted.
From today, a selection of properties on realestate.com.au that have a Matterport scan are being showcased and can be explored in virtual reality via realestate VR, which is built on Matterport’s VR Software Development Kit (SDK). Over time, the vision is to include any property with Matterport VR.
While still in its infancy, virtual reality is set to become an increasingly useful tool, giving time back to property seekers when they’re searching for their next home or rental.
The app will also feature off-market properties from across Australia, allowing consumers to seek inspiration or simply daydream like never before.
Nigel Dalton, REA Group Chief Inventor, commented: “We’re excited to be offering Australia’s first property app on Daydream. realestate VR will change the way people experience and interact with property.
“By 2020, most Australian homes will have VR headsets, and we’re confident the leading real estate agents will embrace virtual reality to create a brand new experience for a whole new generation of property seekers.
“Virtual reality has the unique ability to give us back time, which is the most precious commodity we have. realestate VR will create time for everyone, whether that’s property seekers, agents or property managers.
“The simplest practical example of virtual reality creating time for people is open for inspections. Instead of mum, partner and the kids running across town to view potential properties, either to purchase or rent, this time-consuming process could now happen in one place in just a matter of minutes.”
Matt Bell, Matterport Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder, commented: “Matterport’s VR SDK allows anyone to quickly create VR applications using real-world content, enabling VR to be rapidly adopted across a range of industries including real estate, news media, travel, hospitality, construction, and education. We are excited to see REA Group use this SDK to launch the first live VR real estate app on Daydream.”
The realestate VR app is available in the Google Play Store for use on Daydream View, Google’s mobile VR headset and controller.
