LEGO, the Danish Toy Maker, came out with a new and free Augmented reality Android app named “ BrickHeadz Builder AR ” last week. Android users with the latest version of Google LLC’s ARCore can now download the newly launched AR app on their phones. With the magic of Augmented Reality, users can interact virtually with tiny toy figures and building blocks of BrickHeadz toys as it brings the kids’ BrickHeadz toys to life.
The BrickHeadz line, launched in March 2017, includes the classic LEGO bricks along with an instruction manual for fans which directs them to build characters with big heads and little bodies. It features characters from the very popular Marvel (such as Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, etc), DC (Batman, Robin, Batgirl, The Joker) and Disney (Belle, The Beast, Captain Jack Sparrow) franchises. The company is also planning to expand the line by including more characters.
LEGO has always been on the look-out for ways to make the physical play experience even more fun by blending it with virtual play, according to Sean McEvoy, VP of digital games and apps at the Lego Group.
Let’s have a look at what the new BrickHeadz Builder AR app is all about.
Key Features
- In the BrickHeadz Builder app, different lego related creations such as characters and objects can be easily accessed. It also enables these characters and objects to interact with each other in interesting ways.
- The app directs kids through the steps of construction from beginner to free builder. It enables them to discover new characters and objects by solving play formulas in a “magic book”.
- The “magic book” comes with tutorials and information on challenges that can provide you with rewards.
- You can also personalize characters by playing with their behavior and outfits. They can also build their own objects with the building blocks despite the prebuilt characters and objects.
- Unlocking new characters and items is also possible by playing with your creations.
More industries are catching interest in AR apps these days, especially after the launch of Pokemon Go in 2016 which managed to exceed $1.8 billion in revenue in the past two years. It is by far the most popular AR game ever to be released.
There is also a VR version of the BrickHeadz Builder android app that Lego launched back in October last year. That product also allows children, and adults, to build and play with virtual Lego blocks and characters. For iOS users, the company released LEGO AR-Studio last year in December.
The Brickheadz Builder android app is free with no in-app purchases. All you need is the most recent version of ARCore running on Android 8.0 or later. It can The app can also run on few of the qualified phones ( such as Asus Zenfone AR and LG V30 ) running Android 7.0 or later.
For more coverage on the BrickHeadz Builder AR app, check out the official LEGO blog.
Read Next
Niantic, of the Pokemon Go fame, releases a preview of its AR platform
Adobe glides into Augmented Reality with Adobe Aero
Qualcomm announces a new chipset for standalone AR/VR headsets at Augmented World Expo