An augmented reality system is provided, including a physical apparatus operable to change detectably by a human between a first state and a second state, and an augmented reality application. The physical apparatus includes a signal receiver for receiving a signal, and at least one controllable element operable to effect the change between the first state and the second state upon receiving the signal. The AR application, when executed by at least one processor of a computing device, the computing device having at least one camera and a display, cause the computing device to capture at least one image of the physical apparatus, generate a virtual reality object that is presented in the at least one image on the display, and transmit the signal to the physical apparatus to cause the at least one controllable element of the physical apparatus to switch between the first state and the second state.