What Technology Is Used For AR Development?
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays virtual imagery onto a physical world scene. It allows users to see the real world with virtual objects superimposed upon or placed completely in the real world. It employs a variety of technical tools, such as 3D modeling, real-time tracking and registration, intelligent interaction, sensing, and more. In this blog we will learn about all the technologies that are used behind AR development.
1. Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM)
SLAM is a technology that is already present in our smartphone since the release of Apple’s AR Kit and Google’s AR Core. It is a combination of complex computations and algorithms that uses camera and sensor to construct maps in an unknown environment and localize the user’s orientation, position and direction in the real world.
SLAM greatly improves the accuracy of indoor wayfinding where GPS localization is unavailable. SLAM algorithm uses LIDAR and IMU Data to generate a map and understand the user’s position in the map. With the help of these technologies not only is it possible to create high 3D maps and gather information about the environment but also determine the movement of the device in 3D space.
How can SLAM technology support various sectors?
Brick-and-Mortar: A lot of companies are currently using SLAM to help shoppers navigate the store and find items more easily, which shortens their path to purchase and offers big benefits to retailers.
Advertising: SLAM technology can assist a lot of brands to create meaningful and interactive experiences for users. For example, a brand of a cereal can use AR to overlay nutritional information in the real world to make it clearly visible for consumers.
Ecommerce: SLAM lets consumers use their smartphone to overlay furniture and place it into their own living room to see if it corresponds with other objects in the real space. A lot of ecommerce brands are using AR technology to help consumers with their purchase-decision.
2. 3D Modeling and Rendering
In AR, 3D modeling and rendering are used to create virtual imagery that can be overlaid into the real world. The virtual objects are defined by their geometry, such as vertices, edges, and faces, and their appearance, which includes textures, materials, and lighting.
During the rendering process, the lighting, shading and texturing of the virtual models are calculated to create it like a real-life object. The rendering process can be time consuming depending upon the complexity of the AR experience.
3. Marker-based AR
A smartphone camera is used to recognize markers such as a QR-code or a static image. Once recognized, it will augment additional content(video, animation, text or 3D object) on top of the marker. Marker-based AR heavily uses image-recognition which is a computer-vision technology that recognizes the markers be it a picture on a book or a pattern on a packaging box.
In order to create a marker-based app developers add markers like QR-codes into the app’s code and create scripts so the user’s phone can identify them.
Pepsi teamed up with Pizza-hut to create an AR game that puts users in the shoes of soccer star, Paul-Pogba allowing them to dribble the ball and slide under obstacles.
4. Markerless AR
Unlike marker-based AR, it doesn’t need a QR-code or an image to activate AR experiences. In order to start the experience, users can simply scan horizontal surfaces like floor or table or vertical surfaces such as a wall. Once the environment is scanned, it places the digital elements on the surface.
Retailers, Educators, and Industries are currently leveraging the use of Markerless AR to educate consumers about their product or services. Compared to Marker-based AR, it is quite a flexible AR technology as it can be accessed anywhere and anytime.
For example, IKEA launched a new augmented reality system which allows consumers to place realistically-rendered, true-to-scale 3D products from its catalog into the living room. Google Map AR navigation is another great example of a markerless AR which helps users navigate the city.
5. Location-Based AR
In location-based AR, developers can attach digital content to geographical location. It uses geographical coordinates to identify users’ location and display AR content to that specific location. The technology can be used to help travelers locate various restaurants, monuments or places or create fun and engaging games like PokemonGo.
The three key factors in creating a geolocated augmented reality are:
Sensors: Sensors play a crucial role in location-based AR applications by providing information on the user’s position and movements. Proper positioning of the sensors is essential for accurate data transfer.
Points of Interest: Points of interest refer to the virtual layers of the image displayed on the user’s screen. The system must understand what information to present to the user based on the received data.
Connection Technique: The effectiveness of the markerless AR application depends on the accuracy of the location data provided by the sensors. To produce the best image, it is important to connect the sensors and points of interest as precisely as possible.
The Future of Augmented Reality
The augmented reality market will expand over the coming years, especially as consumers have easier access to technology.
Mobile devices with AR capabilities are widely available, providing great opportunities for advertising and extending conversion-driving user experiences.
Businesses that respond to today’s challenges in novel and creative ways will be much better able to compete with their rivals.
