Virtual reality and AI: the future of customer loyalty in the cigar industry
Virtual reality and AI? A bold look into the future: the cigar industry will soon be using virtual reality and AI to inspire customers and strengthen brand loyalty. Virtual tours and consultations are possible applications for creating unique experiences. Even cigar tasting is within the realms of possibility.
Experience a tour of tobacco plantations with virtual reality
The use of VR in the cigar industry has the potential to revolutionize the customer experience and open up new markets. By using VR technology, cigar manufacturers or cigar retailers can offer their customers immersive and interactive experiences. The use of VR can increase customer engagement and strengthen brand loyalty.
A virtual tour of tobacco plantations provides customers with knowledge about the origin and history of cigar production. Customers can see the plants in the virtual world and learn how they are grown, cared for and harvested.
What does "immersive" mean?
The term "immersive" refers to an experience or environment that is designed in such a way that it completely surrounds the viewer. They are immersed in another world or reality. Immersive technologies such as virtual reality create a strong sense of presence. They can give the user the feeling of actually being in the virtual environment or situation.
Or how about a cigar consultation?
The use of virtual reality (VR) in the cigar industry could also help to improve the customer's shopping experience. By providing virtual advice, manufacturers can respond to the individual needs of their customers and make personalized recommendations.
One example of the use of virtual reality in cigar advice is the use of VR glasses. Customers can put on VR goggles and experience a virtual environment that resembles a cigar store or cigar lounge. They can virtually select different cigars and get to know the characteristics of each cigar.
Another example is the use of VR in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI). Manufacturers can develop algorithms that are based on customer preferences and purchase histories and provide personalized recommendations.
VR technologies such as haptic feedback systems give customers a realistic feeling of the weight, size and texture of a cigar. Customers can pick up a virtual cigar and turn it to experience the look and feel of a cigar.
Four possible strategies for how the cigar industry can use VR to improve its business
1 - Virtual reality events and trade fairs: Cigar manufacturers can use VR to invite their customers to virtual events that include cigar tastings, discussions and presentations.
2 - Virtual advice: Customers indicate their preferences and then receive recommendations.
3 - Manufacturers can take customers on virtual tours of tobacco plantations and production facilities to illustrate cigar production.
4 - Virtual training: Employees can improve their knowledge and skills in a virtual environment.
And what about the feel?
Traditionally, the quality of cigars is assessed by a combination of visual inspection, touch and smell.
Haptic feedback comes into play in virtual reality. Cigar manufacturers could offer special VR gloves that give customers the feeling of holding a real cigar in their hand. The gloves could have sensors that recognize hand movements in the virtual world and adapt feedback. This would allow customers to experience the weight, consistency and even the lighting of a virtual cigar.
How can you use virtual reality and AI to experience the taste of a cigar without actually smoking it?
There is currently no technology that makes it possible to simulate the taste of cigars directly through implants in the human body. But perhaps in the distant future?
The answer lies in the use of AI technology, which allows us to virtually experience the flavors of cigars. By analyzing data from cigars and their flavor profiles, AI software can create virtual flavor profiles. Customers can experience the taste of cigars without physically smoking them.
The technology, which allows users to experience the taste of cigars without actually having to smoke them, is based on a combination of AI software and special sensors and devices. The sensors and devices are able to detect the aroma of cigars and analyze it in real time. The AI software then processes this data and creates virtual flavor profiles that are made available to users. When users experience these virtual flavor profiles, it can make them feel as if they have actually smoked a cigar without it being physically present.
Immersive experience
The result is an immersive experience where users can virtually experience the taste of cigars. Through AI technology and VR, users can have a realistic experience that resembles the actual smoking of cigars. This would only be possible if sensors were placed in the human body, for example on the tongue. These sensors would simply be removed after use.
This technology offers numerous advantages for cigar connoisseurs and aficionados. By using AI technology, users can experience the taste of cigars without having to physically smoke them. This means that users can try and rate cigars before they buy, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Conclusion
The use of VR technology and AI in the cigar industry could revolutionize the customer experience and change the way customers select and enjoy cigars. The level of investment required here is still unclear.
Resources on the topic
Artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) in the future
Despite the fact that I'm always flying to new mobile devices like a mosquito to light, I'm more traditional in my approach to this topic.
I prefer the shopping pleasure on site with the real exchange of the at best knowledgeable staff ?
"at best" knowledgeable staff... ? A saleswoman once tried to convince me that "Joya de Nicaragua" means: "Cigar from Cuba". No joke, she was serious. ?
Hello together
A certain interest in philosophy and psychology, but also sociology, encourages me to reflect critically on many points and, in particular, not always to see everything that innovations offer us in a positive light, which of course also applies to virtual reality.
It's appealing to be able to put yourself in a situation where you can't be any other way. It can be interesting to discover things in a relatively realistic way. However, it is not yet possible to fully feel this experience both physically and emotionally, and so at best we experience it through someone else's senses. Since everyone's sensitivity and sensibilities are different, we accept the limiting aspect of virtual reality, which therefore only goes by the name of "reality".
With regard to the virtual discovery of a cigar or other product, I see this point all the more critically, as I completely disagree with a certain current tasting practice.
Studies have shown that 80% of enjoyment is not only related to the product, but to many other factors - unfortunately easily influenced. It is therefore obvious that every tasting will be different, depending on the mood, atmosphere, surroundings, what you have heard or read about the product, etc.
Under these conditions, how can opinions on this or that other product be objective? How can we claim to feel what real experts with rare skills have spent years working on?
Tasting a cigar should above all be a pleasure! Knowing what is behind the production of tobacco and the making of cigars is important because it allows respect for the product. Knowing how to store your cigars, then choosing the right one for the occasion, knowing how to cut and light them for maximum enjoyment, that's the most important thing. Everything else is and should remain personal. No, we're not wrong if we don't find the one or other aromatic note... Does it matter! Pleasure above all because, as Zino Davidoff said: "A cigar has above all the aromas of tobacco" (a quote during an interview unfortunately forgotten)!
Hi Vinzent, thanks for your comment and also your time. As far as the tasting reports are concerned, I agree with you. There are many factors involved, and in the end it is never objective, but always subjective. I may taste dark wood in a cigar, another may simply taste "woody" and a third may taste nut and no wood. Nevertheless, I enjoy thinking about the future and what technologies might one day be available. And, who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to have a cigar printed out with exactly the flavor we like. Maybe chocolate dipped in nuts? ...yuck... no thanks, I'd rather lick and eat the nut and the chocolate sauce in REAL. ?
I think it can be used as a supplement. It won't replace the experience and personal advice in the cigar store. I like to be surprised by the smell and look in the humidor. If I buy locally, I can also smoke the cigar directly. If I like a new cigar, I simply pick up a few more afterwards. After all, it takes a few days for the order to reach me once it has been selected virtually. Whether there are any left to reorder is questionable, especially with limited edition cigars.
Maybe after the virtual tasting you can have the cigar printed out in a 3D printer with exactly the flavor preferences you like so much. Imagine THAT... unbelievable ?
A fascinating story from a technological point of view, no doubt. But also the last/biggest step towards total alienation/social separation - touchless, like gesture control and KeylessGo. The cigar world thrives on company (sitting together), haptics (touching, including your smoking friend), fragrance/flavor (without an atomizer in VR glasses). AI and cigars? Like electric cars and porn cinemas - almost inside... No, thanks.
Hi Miodrag, "like electric car and porn movie theater - almost inside..." - ? fantastic comparison ? Have you seen the movie "Surrogates" with Bruce Willis? People are wired up at home and their avatar does their daily work. I can't even imagine what it was like for people back then when the first car drove over the dirt roads. What did people think? What ideas about the future did people who weren't familiar with technology have?
Or the filmmakers who could only produce silent films. Suddenly, sound film came along and many filmmakers saw no future in sound film.
In its evolution, our species has produced people who have had the gift of researching, developing and selling technologies. And who knows, perhaps such a person will soon be born who will take AI and virtual reality to the next level (or is already walking among us).
The WHO has set the goal of establishing a 100% smoke-free society. This is already the case in some countries. And many other countries are rapidly moving in this direction. In Switzerland, the complete ban on tobacco advertising is coming (planned for 2024, but will probably be introduced in 2025). The next step has already been taken.
Sometimes I think I would like to board the time machine and travel into the future if I wanted to. But at the same time I don't want to ?