Designing an AR showroom that let customers configure vehicles and place them in their own spaces
I designed a tablet app that transformed the car-buying journey through augmented reality. The Troller Virtual Showroom allowed customers to explore, customize, and visualize vehicles in 3D, then place their configured models in their living rooms using AR.
Virtual showroom during pandemic constraints
During pandemic lockdowns, Troller (Ford's off-road vehicle brand in Brazil) needed ways to maintain sales engagement without physical showroom visits. The solution: a tablet app that let customers explore, customize, and visualize vehicles in 3D, then place their configured models in their own spaces using augmented reality. Customers could experience the vehicle's size and presence in their garage or driveway before purchase.
Mirroring the physical dealership experience
Designed interface flow matching how people explore vehicles in person:
Model Catalog. Browse available Troller models with specs, performance capabilities, and preset configurations. Each model showed key differentiators (off-road vs. urban optimization, cargo capacity, engine options). Preset configs acted as starting points customers could refine. The catalog interface provided clear visual hierarchy and intuitive navigation through the vehicle lineup.
Detailed Customization. Parts organized by category (exterior, interior, performance, accessories). Real-time 3D updates reflected each choice instantly. Want matte black wheels? See them immediately Considering roof rack? Watch it appear on the model. This visual feedback built confidence in customization decisions. The interface shown below demonstrates how part selection worked, with clear categorization and visual hierarchy to guide users through complex vehicle configurations.
Color and Finish Visualization. Intuitive color picker with material swatches (metallic, matte, pearlescent). Applied finishes to specific components rather than whole-vehicle changes. Customers could create unique combinations (body color different from trim, custom wheel colors, interior material selections). The color selection flow provided immediate visual feedback, showing exactly how each finish would look on the configured vehicle.
Performance-aware UI for AR rendering
AR experiences demand careful performance optimization. Applied Human Interface Guidelines and Material Design patterns while keeping rendering lightweight. Texture quality adjusted dynamically based on device capability. UI elements used native components to avoid rendering overhead. The budgeting interface presented clear cost breakdowns without complex calculations that would slow the experience.
Configuration management and sharing
Email integration let customers save configurations, share with family for input, or send directly to Troller sales team for quote generation and purchase negotiation. Each saved config included full specification list, pricing breakdown, and 3D model snapshots. This created a frictionless path from virtual exploration to real purchase conversation. The search and filter system allowed quick navigation through hundreds of customization options, as demonstrated in the interface below.
AR placement and scale understanding
The AR mode solved a critical vehicle purchase question: "Will this fit?" Customers pointed their tablet camera at their garage, driveway, or parking space. The app placed the full-scale 3D vehicle model in that space, correctly proportioned and lit to match the environment. Walk around it, see it from different angles, understand its actual size relative to their space.
Validation through interactive prototyping
Built high-fidelity interactive prototypes demonstrating complete customization flows, AR placement interactions, and configuration management. Tested with Troller sales team and potential customers to validate the interface matched showroom terminology and decision-making patterns. Ensured complex vehicle configurations remained manageable through progressive disclosure and clear categorization.
Design constraints and technical considerations
Worked within Material Design system requirements specified by stakeholders. Balanced comprehensive customization options against interface clarity (too many choices overwhelm, too few disappoint). Designed fallback experiences for devices with limited AR capability, ensuring app remained useful even without full AR features.