The LEGO Group launches a new augmented reality app

The LEGO Creative Play Lab is launching a brand new – and free – augmented reality app, titled LEGO AR-Studio.

Launching soon, LEGO AR-Studio is a new augmented reality app that allows physical and virtual play to be combined. The app is marketed as allowing users to play with digital versions of LEGO sets in real settings. Within the software, virtual versions of real LEGO sets are contained, that can then be viewed alongside physical LEGO sets so that users can create images and videos.

The app has been developed by the Creative Play Lab, a division of the LEGO Group dedicated to new technology.

The following sets are included in the launch version of the app, implying that more will come later:

• LEGO City 60047 Police Station
• LEGO City 60052 Train Set
• LEGO City 60110 Fire Station
• LEGO NINJAGO 70593 Green NRG Dragon
• The LEGO NINJAGO Movie 70632 Cole’s Mech
• The LEGO NINJAGO Movie 70618 Destiny’s Bounty

Here is the full press release from the LEGO Group:

The LEGO Group is providing children across the world the opportunity to play using a free augmented reality app, that allows users to explore their creativity by mixing virtual and physical LEGO® play together, in a brand new and unique way.

Coming out of the LEGO Group’s department that explores the future of play – Creative Play Lab, LEGO AR-Studio™ is a creative tool that allows children to play with digital versions of some of the most popular LEGO® sets*, in real-world scenes using augmented reality that mixes them with physical LEGO® models.

Tom Donaldson, VP, Creative Play Lab at the LEGO Group said:
“We believe the best way to predict the future of play is to invent it. LEGO AR-Studio™ pioneers new possibilities for imaginative play where children can enjoy both physical interaction and digital engagement at the same time. This is one of many ways we innovate to combine physical and digital LEGO play into a fun and creative experience for children.”

In the app, children and LEGO fans can explore and control virtually enhanced animated versions of LEGO® models in real-world environments, making and playing out their own unique stories and adventures. The app also allows users to record the action and save video clips directly to their smart device.

“The play experience in LEGO AR-Studio™ is open-ended, leaving children’s imagination and creativity to shape up the play universe. It allows children to play in engaging ways, while having ‘one hand in each world’ – playing and building with the physical LEGO models, while holding on to their device and bring sets to life,” says Tom Donaldson.

LEGO AR-Studio™ brings LEGO® sets to life with fun animations and audiovisual effects when they are placed together. Special play features include a dragon breathing fire, trains sounding a horn or a LEGO® firetruck using a fire-hose – all of which can be activated while playing. Virtual Golden Bricks are also hidden around in the LEGO AR environment, for children to search and collect while playing.