I’m sure you know a lot more about virtual reality than you do augmented reality.
The goal of virtual reality is to bring you into a whole new world, whereas augmented reality combines the digital world and the real world.
When you think about it, there are many different ways you could create an AR experience. Let’s give you two examples. The first one is Pokemon GO. Pokemon Go is a location-based AR game where digital creatures, known as Pokémon, are superimposed onto the real world using your smartphone's camera.
Another example would be Snapchat filters, where your camera detects your face and overlays digital graphics or animations onto it, transforming you into different characters, adding accessories, or even changing your environment in real-time. These are only two small examples of AR.
So what other types of augmented reality are there? In this article I'm going to go over all the types of AR and prime examples of how they work exactly. The different types we will be going over are:
- Marker-Based AR
- Markerless AR
- Projection-Based AR
- Superimposition-Based AR
- Face Filters and Recognition AR
- Mixed Reality (MR)
- Object Recognition AR
- Location-Based AR
Marker-Based AR
The first type of AR is marker-based AR. Have you ever been to a restaurant where you see a QR code on the table rather than a menu. That code is called a QR code and it is an example of marker-based AR. To use marker-based AR all you need is a camera and a visual marker such as a QR code to produce a result when the marker is sent by a reader.
If you're interested in the creation of QR codes check out this page. Here are some examples of Marker-Based AR:
Interactive Business Cards
Gone are the days where you have to carry around a bunch of traditional business cards. Now with marker-based ar all you need is one. This is because new and modern business cards have QR codes which can be scanned and have the person scanning be giving your contact information. it's so advanced that they could be given contact details or even links to social media profiles.
Retail Store Marker-Based AR
Another good example is retail. Some retail stores have products with QR codes. When those QR codes are scanned people can see information on the product, how it's used, and other information that could help in the buying process.
Real Estate Property Tours
Have you ever seen a QR code on a for sale sign for a house? This is another common example of Marker-Based AR. When someone walking by scans the QR code, they are brought to a virtual 3D tour of the real estate that's for sale.
Educational Books and Materials
Another example is educational books and materials. Some textbooks or educational materials now have QR codes and when you scan the QR code you can view additional information on the stuff that you're learning.
Museum and art exhibits
The last example is QR codes at museums and art exhibits. Let's say you went to an art exhibit and you saw a QR code on the side. that QR code is usually a code that brings you additional information, historical context, or even a 3D version of whatever you're looking at.
Markerless AR
Markerless AR is basically the opposite of marker-based ar. Instead of relying on something like a QR code Markerless AR relies on Technologies like GPS to provide a database on location. This technology is becoming more popular in gaming. Example of Markerless AR:
Pokemon GO
The best example we could possibly give is Pokemon Go. When Pokemon Go came out, everyone, including myself, was out in their local park catching pokemon. This is an example of Markerless AR as it uses the GPS and sensors in your smartphone to determine your location and overlay digital Pokémon onto the real world. As you move around in the physical environment, the game tracks your location and spawns Pokémon based on where you are.
Google Maps AR
Google Maps AR, uses your GPS and your camera to combine for a great way to get directions. When you turn on the feature it recognizes buildings and landmarks around you as well as uses your GPS and tells you exactly where you should go.
This solves a huge problem that I'm sure you’ve faced: being in a large city and being misled by traditional GPS apps.
Projection-Based AR
Projection based AR is a form of augmented reality that utilizes Advanced projection technology to cast artificial light onto surfaces. this isn't just any ordinary light, it's a light that allows human interactions. for example, if someone touches the projected image or moves within the area, the projection based AR can sense that movement and respond accordingly.
Usage of this technology could be found in various sectors. from entertainment and gaming to Industrial design and even healthcare. let's get into some examples:
Projection Based Keyboards
Projection-based keyboards are essentially virtual keyboards that use a projector to display a keyboard layout on your desk. Once the keyboard is projected onto your desk, you can type on the virtual keys. This concept offers several advantages. They are lightweight, allowing you to carry them wherever you go. They save space; when not in use, you can utilize your desk for other purposes. Additionally, they are customizable, enabling you to change the color to suit your mood or match your office decor.
Superimposition-Based AR
The next one on the list is superimposition based AR. This type of AR takes an original view of an object and creates an augmented, enhanced version of that object. The way it works is the AR has object recognition capabilities to recognize your objects and impose digital information on top of that. let's go over the best example:
Furniture Store AR
When you go furniture shopping, it's hard to imagine how a couch would look in your living room. With superimposition-based AR, that problem is solved. Furniture stores that use this type of AR allow customers to point their camera at the desired spot in their home to visualize how a specific couch would fit. This means you no longer need to leave your house to shop for furniture.
For more on how to create a 3D shopping experience for customers, click here.
Face Filters and Recognition AR
This one, depending on how old you are is a type of AR you've probably used the most, or close to it. Face filters and recognition AR is a specialized form of augmented reality that focuses on detecting your face features and overlaying effects onto your face. Example:
Snapchat
If you view Snapchat before, which a lot of people have, this is the biggest example of face filter and recognition AR.
Gaming
Another good example I could give you is gaming. Some mobile games that you go get on your phone use facial recognition AR to immerse players in the game. In other words you can control game elements using facial movements or expressions.
Virtual Try-On’s
Last but not least is a virtual try on technology. This allows you to see how certain products look on you without actually having to go to the store. so we're talking about products like sunglasses, makeup, hairstyles, and more.
Check out one of our latest posts, “How To Add Virtual Try-On To Your Online Store”.
Mixed Reality (MR)
Mixed Reality is a blend of the physical world and the digital world. It merges real and virtual environments to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real-time. This is similar to superimpositon-based AR, except instead of replacing the original view of an object with a new augmented view, MR allows for a more dynamic interaction between the real and virtual elements. Example:
Apple Vision Pro
The most exciting example of mixed reality is the Apple Vision Pro which is coming out in quarter one of 2024. It merges reality and the digital world by allowing you to go on your desktop and see it within your living space.but it's not only about work you can watch movies, interact with other people and all that fun stuff.
Object-Based Recognition
The name makes it sound like it’s the same thing as Marker-Based AR, but in reality, Object-Based Recognition identifies and interacts with everyday objects, not just predefined markers (like QR codes), offering a more versatile and expansive AR experience.
Object-Based recognition recognizes things based on their shapes, textures, and colors.
Once the object is recognized, you will be provided content that is overlaid on top of the identified object. This content can range from informative details about the object, interactive features, animations, or even links to related online resources. Example:
Plant Recognition
Not everyone knows this, but if you take a picture of a plant on your phone, then swipe up, you will have the option to look up exactly what kind of plant it is along with other information about the plant. This is a prime example of Object-Based recognition.
Location-Based AR
The last type of AR we will be discussing is Location-Based AR. You may be wondering how this differs from Markerless AR. Well, to put simply, Location-Based is about delivering content based on where you are in the world, and markerless is more about delivering content based on what the camera sees and recognizes in your immediate environment, without the need for specific markers.
The reason it’s a little confusing is that Markerless AR can also incorporate Location-Based features as well (like Pokemon GO). Here’s a prime example of Location-Based AR:
Historical Landmark Tour App
If you happen to be walking around a historical site or city using a landmark tour app, the app may trigger an AR experience based solely on your location. So, your camera doesn’t have to see anything, you literally just have to be in the area.
Location-Based AR is popular within museums, city tour apps, and other tour like applications where the primary objective is to offer context, historical insights, and information about specific geographic points of interest.
CSCONNECT: We’ll Get You Started With Your AR Needs
As you could see from all the different types of Augmented Reality, there are many use cases. If you happen to have a need for creating a unique and immersive AR experience for your brand or project, we can definitely help you out.
At CSCONNECT, we offer a seamless platform to create and launch augmented reality campaigns without the need for coding. Our platform is intuitive, efficient, and designed to help you engage your audience in the best way possible. Whether you're looking to integrate QR codes, NFC chip-sets, or create web and mobile AR experiences, we've got you covered.
Why Choose CSCONNECT?
- Easy-to-Use: Build and manage effective immersive AR campaigns with no coding, in real-time.
- Versatile: From QR marketing to NFC solutions, we offer a wide range of tools to suit your needs.
- Real-Time Analytics: Access actionable insights from customer engagement actions and optimize your campaigns and marketing strategy altogether.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can Start your free trial with CSCONNECT today and see how simple it really is to get AR going within your business.
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