ARCore

ARCore
Name	ARCore
Developer	Google
Released	01 March 2018
Operating system	Android
Genre	Augmented reality
License	Proprietary software

ARCore. It is a software development kit developed by Google for building augmented reality experiences on Android devices. The platform enables applications to understand their environment and interact with information by overlaying digital content onto the real world through the device's camera. Its core functionality relies on three key technologies: motion tracking, environmental understanding, and light estimation.

Overview

ARCore works by fusing data from the device's inertial measurement unit and camera to perform simultaneous localization and mapping. This allows it to track the phone's position relative to the world with high precision. The software can detect horizontal and vertical surfaces, like a tabletop or floor, enabling virtual objects to be placed realistically. It is integrated with popular development environments like Android Studio and supports programming through Java, Kotlin, Unity, and Unreal Engine.

Features

Key features include motion tracking using visual-inertial odometry, which allows digital objects to remain accurately positioned. Its environmental understanding can identify feature points and planes, supporting the placement of 3D models. The light estimation feature analyzes ambient light to make virtual objects cast believable shadows. Later updates introduced augmented images for recognizing specific pictures, cloud anchors for shared multi-user experiences, and support for depth sensing using sensors like the ToF camera found on devices such as the Google Pixel 4.

Development and history

The project was first unveiled in August 2017 as a successor to Google's earlier Project Tango. It entered a preview phase before its official launch on March 1, 2018. Development has been closely tied to advancements in Android and Google Play Services. Major updates have consistently expanded its capabilities, with significant contributions from teams at Google I/O conferences. The development process often involves partnerships with hardware manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and Huawei to optimize performance.

Supported devices

Support is dependent on the device's camera, processor, and operating system version. Initially, it required devices running Android 7.0 or higher with specific calibration. A wide range of smartphones and tablets from manufacturers including Samsung Galaxy series, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and Xiaomi are compatible. The list is maintained by Google and expands with new device releases. Some functionality, like depth API usage, requires specific hardware sensors not present on all models.

Comparison with ARKit

ARKit is a competing platform developed by Apple Inc. for iOS devices. Both frameworks offer similar core features like plane detection and face tracking. A primary difference lies in their underlying ecosystems, with ARCore designed for the fragmented Android hardware landscape and ARKit optimized for the unified hardware of iPhone and iPad. ARKit often benefits from the consistent integration of advanced sensors like the LiDAR scanner in newer Apple devices, while ARCore emphasizes broader device compatibility through software solutions.

Applications

It is used across diverse fields, including retail apps like IKEA Place for virtual furniture preview and Sephora for makeup try-ons. In education, applications like Google Expeditions provide immersive learning experiences. The gaming sector has seen hits like Minecraft Earth and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite utilize its technology. Industrial and utility applications include tools from Snap Inc. for Snapchat filters and measurement apps like Google Measure. Automotive companies like Volvo have also used it for visualizing car customizations.

Category:Augmented reality Category:Google software Category:Android (operating system) software Category:2018 software