Which AR SDK Should I Choose For Mobile AR App Development Toolkit?

Introduction

Technology has drastically transformed our lives and one such technology is AR- Augmented Reality. The reason we say that it transformed our lives is that it revolutionizes the digital market. There are several industries where this technology is using such as e-commerce, healthcare, education, and gaming. There is a rapid growth in using AR technology, more and more industries are planning to integrate this technology into their segment.
Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook are investing their time and money in Augmented Reality. Even small-scale firms or start-ups are also planning to use this technology in their business. Companies can also enjoy the benefits of this advanced technology and stay ahead of their competitions. If you are interested in advance and innovative technology and want to build an application integrated with augmented reality, you need to be well-informed about the AR software development kit.
All augmented reality SDKs differ from each other. You cannot replace one with another. The SDK that accomplishes your requirement might not be a suitable choice for your applications.

Types of Augmented Reality Applications

There are four types of AR mobile applications: projection-based, superimposition-based GPS-based, and marker-based.

Marker-Based Augmented Reality

Marker-based augmented reality offers information about items. The smart devices identify the original object or visual which is known as marker. We can know any object with different visuals as a marker. When that item, object is in front of the camera, the smart device identifies it as a marker, replaces or identify it as a 3-D visual, and gives more detailed information about the object. AR 3-D visual highly relies on the marker position.

Location-Based Augmented Reality

GPS-based augment reality is related to the virtual content with precise locations. This specific technology helps travelers across the globe. GPS-based AR technology works on device positioning along with cellular network connection. The information fetches the users’ identity and location. Extracting the user’s information based on their location is important to make this GPS-based AR technology work efficiently.

Projection Based Augmented Reality

This AR-based technology is highly helpful and beneficial in resolving the complex task in a simpler and manufacturing process. The projection-based AR is solely working on advanced projection technology.

Superimposition Based Augmented Reality

Superimposition based augmented reality technology replaces the object with something virtual. When we see the object from superimposition AR, you will see the object in its place but with slightly different visuals.

How to Pick the Appropriate Augmented Reality Software Development Kit (SDK)?

Selecting one SDK is difficult as there are many Augmented Reality Software Development Kit available in the market right now. You can go through and read about the impact of Augmented Reality technology on Mobile App Development. To make the perfect AR-based mobile applications, you need to choose the right tool or software according to the functions and features you want to integrate into the mobile applications. I would like to highlight your attention on the criteria to select the SDK

Type of License

The most significant aspect of business owners before starting the project is to have full knowledge about the monetary expenses. That’s the reason the company owner deliberates money. Thus, entrepreneurs should check the license of augmented reality SDK providers. There are two types of license: commercial and free in the market. Most companies like to opt for a paid license as they know that a free license comes with limited functions. A paid license is the need of the market to develop a fully functional mobile application. There are also options where you can opt for open-source augmented reality to which programmers can add features according to their requirements.

Supported Platforms

It is important to go for a compatible platform that works effectively when selecting AR SDK. Well, all the SDK are compatible with android or iOS operating system. But what if you would like to build an application for windows phone? There are some Augmented Reality SDKs compatible with the Universal Windows Platform. This will help companies to develop AR applications for different operating system smartphones. There are even AR SDK that will let you develop AR application for Mac operating system. There are chances that you don’t need these functions currently, but these functions are important and you might need them.

Smart Glasses Support

In today’s time, most AR applications’ features and functions work in smartphones, which means you can virtual object visual on the phone’s screen. Thus, some other devices also highlight AR objects in smart glasses. Smart glasses offer a hand-free augmented reality experience to the users. No doubt that AR sunglasses are gaining popularity. However, we can’t say right now that it is possible to develop mobile-based AR applications compatible with these smart devices.

Cloud Recognition

If you are planning to build an Augmented Reality mobile application able to integrate a lot of market, then you must confirm an Augmented Reality kit that supports cloud-based software. In this function, a mobile application doesn’t consume mobile space as markers are stored on the cloud platform. One more significant aspect to keep in mind is the number of markers that can be accepted. Augmented reality SDK can support 100 markers and some other SDKs support 1000 markers. Augmented Reality software can support advanced features and functions to enhance the overall AR experience.

On-device (local) Recognition

If a company wants to build simpler yet effective Augmented Reality mobile applications, then he must opt for an SDK with on-device recognition features. Here, markers are mostly stored on the portable of the user, you need not switch between offline and online mode. Which means you can use the AR mobile based application without the internet as well.

3D Tracking

One of the major features of AR-based mobile application is it support 3-D objects which means applications identify 3-D objects like cylinders, cups, and other shapes. This innovative feature has completely transformed the gaming industry specifically in mobile applications. For example, for developing mobile gaming, 3D object identification helps in e-commerce, we can use AR example.

Geolocation

If you want to build a GPS-based AR mobile application in that case, GPS is a significant and essential element. In this case, to add virtual visuals in your mobile apps, you need to use the AR platform which supports GPS. Along with this, GPS also very beneficial in mobile gaming. One of the example is Pokemon Go. Thus, we can clearly say that Geolocation plays a vital role in AR-based mobile applications.

SLAM

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping. Though the term looks more technical, but it is easy to understand. SLAM enables application, which helps you keep the record of your movement. For example, an AR-based mobile application enables you to track the activities of your room and the different objects placed in the room. Thus, allowing users to see the object virtually and can move it accordingly into the applications. The technology is not just about adding an AR element into the objects. Thanks to the SLAM which makes it navigation easier for indoor. As we all know that GPS doesn’t work inside a building or in a room, but this technology SLAM works.

Best Augmented Reality Tools

After understanding the features that you need to consider, it is time for you to be informed about the popular AR platform tools in the market.

Vuforia

Vuforia provides an advanced set of features that’s the reason companies choose this for AR app development. The Vuforia SDK can identify 2D or 3D objects. Another feature that makes its favorite is text recognition, Vuforia comes with a dictionary which has over 100,000 words. Moreover, the next advance features that the platform offers is cloud recognition.

Kudan

The next famous AR SDK is Kudan which runs applications for the two famous operating systems: Android and iOS. Kudan supports SLAM and can easily identify visual in both 2D and 3D. This AR SDK comes with free or paid both licenses. The free license comes with a watermark sign and limited features and functionalities.

EasyAR

EasyAR is an SDK that supports SLAM, screen recording, and 3D tracking. The free version of this SDK doesn’t offer many features and functions. Some primary features of EasyAR SDK are cloud recognitions and unlimited queries.

ARToolkit

ARToolkit is an open-source software which can customize codes for mobile application development. Some features that this software comes with: Single or double camera support, integrate with GPS or location-based AR applications. This platform work effortlessly on platform likes macOS and Linux. This is the only platform that has a lot of features and functionalities in the free version.

Conclusion

In this article, I have clear all the aspects of Augmented Reality SDK, features and functionalities they provide, and top-notch tools that companies require for personalization of AR applications. Now it’s on you which functions you used in the AR-based mobile applications. After that, check the price of SDK and use them to build innovative AR-based mobile application for your business.

Author Bio

Rahul Mathur is the founder & Managing Director of Arka Softwares. Graduated from Harvard Business School, he is a driven leader and technology enthusiast who takes pleasure in helping modern startups and enterprises to grow with the help of future-ready IT solutions such as, next-gen mobile apps, web and marketing solutions, IoT, Cloud and ewallet app development solutions, etc.