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We offer Augmented Reality consultation and in-house development of AR applications.
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How well do you understand your customer? With the current methods of the technology reality can be enhanced. More and more applications are programmed for scenarios in which computer-generated objects are projected into reality with a device.
Do you see here benefits for your customers?
Now is the time for modern companies to generate a certain advantage over the competition with Augmented Reality in their digital strategy.
Augmented Reality, in short AR, is the creation and perception of computer-generated objects in the real world. The virtual objects are made visible by means of a smartphone or data glasses.
Meanwhile more and more mobile devices have integrated cameras. A picture of a virtual object can be projected computer-aided into the image of the real world.
Use cases are information, as text or image, fitting the respective environment. In commercial use Augmented Reality is very effectively applied for advertising.
Augmented reality is to be distinguished from virtual reality, in which a complete environment is created virtually. This can be immersed with the corresponding hardware, VR glasses.
The development process for augmented reality apps usually involves the use of the Unity Engine or native frameworks. The software is usually written using one of the programming languages C#, C++, Objective C, Java or React
Since the Unity engine is applied primarily in the games industry, it is ideally suited for Augmented Reality for the virtual implementation of 3D objects.
First of all, a 3D world is designed and programmed with scripts. In a second step the modelled and virtual objects are linked with the real world. These steps are complex and need extensive testing.
In our lab at new direction our programmers have numerous hardware tools and devices at their disposal to design and test new AR applications.
In the first one pre-defined tracking motifs are recognized with the Augmented Reality browser. For this purpose, the edges of the object have to be clearly identifiable. Then with the loaded program virtual objects are placed in the environment.
With Location Based Services the AR browser recognizes the environment via GPS signal. In this way information on buildings, shops and attractions can be shown in the image.
An Augmented Reality browser can be used to show virtual elements in the real world. The AR browser is an application for the smartphone enabling additional information in the camera image.
Currently there are numerous AR browsers on the market which are partially open-source solutions and which are available free of charge for further development.
Examples are:
First of all, in order to use the AR browser for the respective AR project a linking system has to be established.
With this, the content is loaded and via different functions objects or locations can be recognized and enhanced. An internet connection is needed for the AR browser.
Compared to an independent Augmented Reality app the development in the browser is cheaper.
When programming an individual Augmented Reality app then, similar as for the AR browser, also marker and image recognition resp. Location Based Service (LBS) for adding virtual objects is used.
The functions for Augmented Reality can be recorded in the app so that an internet connection is not absolutely necessary.
In comparison with the Augmented Reality browser the app development is admittedly more complex, however, it is more flexible and better suitable for individual branding possibilities.
AR apps are being used more and more both internally in companies and for customer projects. The use cases are far-reaching. From process optimisation to marketing-effective gimmicks, there are different approaches.
We have had great experiences utilising augmented reality with our previous customers.
Depending on the requirements the development of Augmented Reality applications can take completely different dimensions.
The costs for such a project depend for example on the type of the app. Is programming of a totally new application needed or should the AR application be integrated into an existing app?
Moreover, it needs clarifying which platforms, Android, iOS, Windows, etc. are required. How should the contents look like and does a screen design exist or not.
Feel free to contact us to discuss your project.