How do you select an AR platform?

If you're targeting AR specifically, the most important thing is which physical devices are you targeting. There aren't too many true AR devices in the market today so your choices are limited. Many have their own proprietary SDKs and right now Unity is the common platform across them. Using a proprietary platform like Unity, however, comes with its own risks as seen in recent news.

A lot to consider before moving forward. Is it a web-based experience or mobile app or both? Is it cloud-based or on-prem? Do you need built-in collaboration features? Based on user expectations and behavior, you can then select the appropriate library or platform. For example, you can go with Unity or Unreal as gaming engines and build on top of Vuforia or ARFoundation. For web, consider three.js, AR.js, A-frame.

Defining your target audience for augmented reality (AR) content is crucial. Consider demographics, psychographics, and behavioral patterns. Assess their tech familiarity, preferred devices/platforms, and accessibility to AR tech. Align your content with their interests and tech-savviness. Choose the right AR development framework accordingly. Tailor content to meet specific goals and gather user feedback for continuous improvement. Understanding your audience is essential for creating engaging and effective AR experiences.

This is a crucial factor for success! If your target audience is the general public, remember that they might not want to download a new app onto their phones. In this case, consider using a WebAR solution. Additionally, keep in mind that they may not be familiar with the technology, so it's essential to provide information at each step of the process to minimize any friction. For instance, explain why you need access to their camera, location, motion sensors, or other information from their phones.

An important part to consider is the scalability you are looking for with an experience. It is not the same for an application to be used by a small group of operators in an industrial area, as it is for a large audience of people at a music festival, for example. For the first example you can develop an app based on frameworks such as ARKit or ARCore as discussed in the post. But in the second case you need an approach that is very easy to access, fast to consume and simple to share. In these cases there are Web AR (AR for browsers) options, based on Web XR or Web GL solutions. These options allow access to content without apps, simply by sharing a web link. Therefore the type of audience and the required reach can determine this choice.

Hey! Diego here, so answering how to choose an AR platform. I think you first have to know your clients target audience, and clients budget. It’s not the same targeting teenagers than targeting adults. In this sense, knowing what the client want to showcase is key. Usually clients already have in mind a platform in mind. They just want the person to build. As a freelancer I asure my clients are well informed and if I have to do some evangelization, I do the explanation of types of Tracking based on the platform choose. On this point I think the most question would be, who is going to create the assets. I let clients know they 3D models for AR need to be optimized, meaning will take extra time if social platforms are choosed

If you are building an experience for a brand then most likely you want to build an experience using a web-based platform or a social AR platform such as Instagram, Snap or TikTok. This will make your experience accessible to a wider audience. If you are building a AR utility application or an AR game you may want to consider using an app-based platform such as Unity to build your experience, where it will be possible to gain access to a wide range of capabilities in ARCore and ARKit.

This is important. High-end AR is exclusionary, but Low-end AR does not look and feel as impressive. Therefore, know your audience.

My personal take on AR biggest strong point is to fill or narrow the gap in visualisation. Following that, identify if your target audience difficulty or the problem that you try to solve is about visualisation gap or not. If yes, meaning you have a good use for AR. If not, maybe AR is not the correct approach. Once you have clarified that, then its the matter of balancing a few factor such as accessibility of device & platform and interaction complexity (slow? fast? one or two handed? require high precision & control?). By weighting the parameters, you objectively select most fit platform/framework/ecosystem/devices to work on with your target audience.

In augmented reality, you can use various types of content, not just 3D models. In many cases, simple texts, 2D graphics, and audio (spatial audio, by the way, creates a very cool effect) are used. All these content types can be used to create interactive experiences. The choice of the platform should also be determined by its capabilities to work with different types of content. If you're not a programmer, you'll need a no-code solution like MyWebAR, for example. If you can code, then you can consider platforms that require programming for interactive actions.

Undoubtedly the key part is the approach to creating the 3D models that will form part of the experiences. It is necessary to take into account factors such as the number of nodes, polygons, texture size, optimisation of the geometry and animations included, and even the need for details or the ability to simplify parts. It is often the case that in industrial models there is a large amount of detail that, for visualisation in AR, is not entirely necessary and therefore can be simplified considerably, and therefore generate experiences with much better performance. In the case of Web AR experiences this becomes much more relevant, as the performance in a web browser can be much more limited. In this sense the .glb format is the best choice.

One of the most challenging parts within creating content for AR is 3D modeling. In our case with about 200 objects to modeling , we chose photogrammetry but the process was tangibly slow and inefficient. Finding a solution to this obstacle could be a boost fuel for this segment in AR app development.

Optimize, optimize, optimize! 1k textures, .glb format, minimal polys, simplified (or no) physics, etc. will go a loooong way towards a smooth experience.

To use AR in broadcasting, I would say the content needs to be planned accordingly with the show you are delivering. If it is a game, your AR models should blend with the stadium and enhance the viewer's experience in a huge setting and not disturb the enjoying the game experience. And if you are preparing content to be used in a studio with the presenters, they should feel comfortable using that AR element like they would use a physical prop in the set.

Content type is the other important factor which will determine the choice of an AR platform. If you need an experience with high Fidelity 3D models, complexity of animations and interactions, you might as well use Unity’s dedicated Mars- or AR Foundation SDK or a combination of unreal engine & Vuforia. In those cases, you will look to distribute your app via mobile. However, if the goals of your campaign she has to do more with raising awareness rather than a bit persuading customers then what they are offers you a chance to reach a wider audience. There are many webinar platforms Zappar, 8th Wall being among the most proven ones.

That quality and type of content not only comes from the capabilities of the technology but also the use case and value you are bringing to the user. A million dollar 3D model in AR may not be relevant to a user but a 3D model of a pre planned surgery will be much more valuable to the patient. She would gladly pay a million if it increases her chance of survival during operation as it helps doctors perform better in AR. And in terms of technology I think we are just scratching the surface. There will be a lot more in terms of perception engineering when we will be able to combine these feature together to multi modal sensors which will mimick real world sensory abilities. Certainly that would be more engaging.

There are many ways to skin a cat, that being said the tools and skills at your disposal obviously greatly determine greatly your approach. There are numerous no coding platforms out there for creating web at experiences sponsors and filters for social media. Without a doubt for beginners, Spark, AR and land studio make the most sense. If you are looking to develop web AR applications, with or without the help of an engine, JavaScript knowledge will be extremely beneficial and ultimately a prerequisite if you want to achieve better results. Notable js libraries are a-frame and three.js

I would say, one should never be scared of developing an AR content. It is basically programming and sometimes you don't even recognize you are coding as it is all visual programming. And there are so many different resources and even if you have to switch in between the different AR creation tools, you should be okay as there are so many available resources online. Choose which your team feels comfortable in developing from the day one.

We are currently working in AR/VR + AI, but the main thing to consider here, especially in AR/VR are: - Gadgets already available (bounds the real potential) - Gadgets required actually to meet that need, aren't really out there. - This opens up a huge gap in the engineering industry.

AR is still evolving, and new technologies are continually emerging. Consider whether your chosen platform is adaptable to future advancements in AR technology. An agile platform can help you stay ahead in this rapidly changing field.

Selecting the right AR platform involves considering not just the technology but also the community behind it. Often overlooked is the importance of the developer community associated with the platform. A thriving developer community can be a game-changer. It indicates ongoing support, a wealth of resources, and a network of experts to tap into. So, beyond the technical features, assess the vibrancy of the platform's developer community as it can significantly impact the success and sustainability of your AR project.

Build for the hardware you imagine is coming. We all knew Apple was going to appear on the scene with an AR product, and reflecting their development of the M Series chip, we expected something great. View the Vision Pro as a true Gen 1 device. It has an external battery pack! You think Apple thinks a tethered headset is the future? No. They want the tool in developers hands to build what we all imagine. Think BIG!

I see 2 things happening: 1. Some limited no code features that everbody is using for fun & trend. 2. Some innovative solutions with high coding and development that very few could achieve. This gap is there because even if you get a good idea, one has to 1. Find out if it's possible 2. Is the AR hardware capable enough now 3. Does the software platform enable us 4. And in the end can I do it with no code. If anyone one of the above is NO. Your idea remains an idea only.

I am amazed by using AR in broadcasting. Most of the time, people who doesn't know this technology, doesn't even recognize how much work goes into it but that is what it makes it so beautiful. A lot of shows use AR these days but they never shadow the story or the presenters but rather enhance it, that is lovely!