Amazon delivers Halloween in a box – using AR

Just in time for Halloween, Amazon is offering consumers a spooky, augmented reality (AR)-enabled way to repurpose shipping boxes.

The e-tail giant is launching an interactive AR experience on its Halloween-themed boxes that are made with less material. Amazon is delivering these new boxes to customers through Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31). To activate the experience, customers first download the free Amazon AR app on their smartphone.

Customers then draw a face on the pumpkin on the box with a black marker, scan the QR code with their smartphone’s camera while the volume is on, and watch their pumpkin design virtually come to life via AR imagery on their phone screen. The e-tailer says it is offering the experience, which it encourages customers to share via social media, as a low-cost way to celebrate Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic while repurposing boxes before recycling. More AR experiences are planned for release in the near future.

“As Halloween fans young and old seek things to do at home this holiday season, Amazon has created its first shipping box augmented reality experience that is fun, free, and can be launched directly from the comfort of your home, said Vas Obeyesekere, senior industrial designer, Amazon sustainability team. “The activity on our Halloween-themed boxes is a great way to reuse boxes before dropping them in the recycling bin, and they underscore our commitment to sustainability with a fun twist the friends and family can enjoy.”