Do you remember when SnapChat first opened wide the world of filters for its users back in 2011? Now, these filters have become the lifeline of myriad mobile applications creating new and exciting business opportunities across the globe. These filters are the direct outcome of the immersive technology called Augmented Reality.
As the name suggests, the tech allows developers and businesses to impose computer graphics on reality, i.e., augment reality with additional visual features. The sheer engagement factor of the AR-powered apps and the abundant potential it uncovers make it one of the most compelling markets for exponential future growth.
As per a Statista report, the global market of augmented reality (including mixed and virtual reality) is forecasted to grow up to 300 billion USD by 2024, almost ten times its present status.
What are Augmented Reality Apps?
With such thrilling possibilities for even your business, it becomes imperative for you to know what augmented reality apps are? By definition, these are the revolutionary mobile applications that enhance the virtual image of real-life objects with virtual objects.
In simpler words, they allow the users to have a composite view of the real-life by overlaying on it some computer-generated graphics. This profound but straightforward application of mobile cameras and other sensors has opened a vast world of endless possibilities, where businesses can let users enjoy a look and feel of their products or services before asking them to make a purchase.
To know more about how different businesses use this application of Augmented Reality, let’s first understand a bit more about the technology itself with a brief overview of its different types.
Types of Augmented Reality Apps
Now, you know what Augmented Reality apps are, on the surface, at least, let’s dive a bit deeper to augment our understanding by learning about its different kinds.
Location-Based AR
Also known as marker-less AR apps, location-based AR applications are the most widely used augmented reality applications. Instead of relying solely on the device's camera, they fetch data from the accelerators, compass, GPS, and gyroscope to create a virtual object in a given location. The most popular example of such application is the game Pokémon Go.
Projection AR
Apps based on Projection AR use complex algorithms to fetch 3D data on objects by using multiple odometry sensors. These sensors project a beam of photons on a surface and can detect an interaction when calculating the difference from the expected projection. These apps are used by architects and engineers to study remote environments by projecting their 3D holograms.
Marker-Based AR
These AR mobile apps use image recognition algorithms to detect one and then use it as the marker to overlay the AR information on it. The most common examples of such applications are the apps that allow users to try on different accessories, including glasses and jewelry, in the virtual world.
Superimposition AR
As the name suggests, superimposition AR apps superimpose virtual images over the original image partially or wholly. These apps are primarily used in the educational or healthcare industry to superimpose additional information on real-life objects when seen through the app's camera.
How to Create an Augmented Reality App for Your Business?
With such exciting features, AR has brought to the world a new age of innovation. It opens up new possibilities for businesses to not just market their existing products and services better, but also launch some new ones that can create new revenue streams for their businesses.
1. Requirement Analysis
The foremost step in the development of an augmented reality app, you will need to iron out the basics. Understanding the feasibility of your idea and how that can be included to enhance your business model is crucial. When you hire augmented reality app development company, the experts there will evaluate your requirements and create the tech-stack or a list of technologies to be used for the app development. This tech stack will depend on your chosen operating system and the complexity of the app. Once it’s all decided, the analysts will share a tentative timeline for your augmented reality mobile app, the different stages of development, and the overall cost. Then depending on your conditions, they will begin the designing phase of the app.
2. AR App Design
Unlike most other apps, designing the components of an AR app can be quite complex. Here, you’ll not only need a bespoke interface but rather also 3D models and images of your various virtual components.
3D Models Designing
Designing 3D models is not everyone's cup of tea. It requires the highest precision at every angle and every movement. Special experts are needed to be hired for the purpose, who will first create a 2D sketch of your virtual objects, get them approved by you, and then create a complex 3D structure around them.
UI/UX Design
Your AR mobile app must also have a flawless interface. Besides being a visual-focused app, it may even evoke more expectations regarding the overall user experience. In any case, make sure you use a consistent theme for your 3D virtual objects and your app's interface for a more appealing experience.
3. Developing the App
Once all the visual elements are ready, your app is ready to go under the development stage. Again, since the app uses different interactive modules, the development process will also be slightly segmented. It will begin with-
Backend Development
Though it doesn’t matter whether a mobile app uses augmented reality or not, as far as the backend is concerned, it is important to maintain smooth communication with the backend since most AR apps are usually heavy-duty. Based on the project requirements, you can use any of the JSON APIs to transmit data to and fro.
AR Module Development
Developers highly skilled in tools like ARKit, SceneKit, Vuforia, Wikitude, ARCore, etc., will work in this stage to create logic around your augmented reality app’s virtual objects and environments. These logics will then further get refined in the next step.
Mobile Functionality Development
This is the stage where the actual augmented reality app development will get completed. Your concepts and ideas will all be realized here. All the logics will be coded and integrated together for a seamless experience.
4. Quality Analysis
For an app with so many loaded components, it is essential to assure a smooth user experience. Dedicated QA processes on the app are also necessary to ensure that all the different elements would work equally smoothly on all the target devices. This stage is also essential to see that users are able to use the app as you’d conceptualized it to be used. All in all, it is in this stage you will finally be able to say it with complete confidence that you have your own fully functional augmented reality app.
5. Deployment & Maintenance
With the app all ready, it’s time to deploy and publish it on the major app markets. Before doing so, you have to see that you’re well cognizant of all the app market policies and that they’re not in conflict with any of your business ideas. Furthermore, even after publishing the app, make sure you study the user behavior and trends around your target audience to keep your AR app well updated for futuristic expectations.
Tools for Building Best Augmented Reality Apps
Futuristic 2022 AR Trends in Different Industries
The high-end Augmented Reality technologies for mobile application development carry the immense potential for businesses in ranging industries. Here is a brief overview of them and their respective potential AR trends.
Education
Many education institutes are already investing in AR applications that facilitate for them to provide distance education with a more immersive experience. When AR-enabled mobile phones would become more popular in the coming year, we will see an unprecedented growth of education applications featuring bespoke Augmented Reality features.
Social Media
Following the raging trends from the past half-decade, social media platforms and the businesses on them will more readily create AR filters that will allow them to showcase cosmetics and accessories to their followers. This sure-fire way of enhancing user engagement will pick up more pace and become more available across different channels until they become ubiquitous.
ECommerce
Be it cosmetics, furniture, or facial accessories. If you have a retail eCommerce business selling things that people would like to visualize before buying, AR mobile application can prove to be the best investment for you so far! The app will allow the users to interact with a virtual copy of their products before placing an order. The high-engagement capabilities of the app alone can raise the bottom-line of your sales by a considerable amount.
Healthcare
AR mobile apps can integrate the healthcare industry in some truly ingenious ways. They can be used for caregivers’ training and overall medical education. It can also be used to attain remote expertise for surgical operations and pre-MRI evaluations. Some of the other AR apps in AR that are all set to transform the healthcare industry include helping visually impaired people via 3D recognition systems and medical imaging for better surgical precision.
Automotive
The immersive experience of AR-based mobile applications can solve many of the existing problems in the automotive industry. Automobile businesses can use these apps to optimize their manufacturing processes by leveraging AR-enabled prototyping and assembling of vehicles. AR apps can also be developed to provide in-depth information on an automobile by focusing on its different parts in real-time.
Sports
For live streaming of varied sports, the industry can invest in AR applications that can help both viewers and reviewers to make a better decision over a given event. For example, for an immersive stadium experience, the viewers can have an app to superimpose the name and other details of the players to make it easy for them to understand the ongoings of the match even when they are seated farther away.
Hospitality Industry
The hospitality and travel industry has the most potential for transformation with AR apps as compared to any other industry. The travel businesses and hotels can provide an interactive guide for accommodation spaces or take the users to a rich augmented environment before they plan a holiday to an exotic location.
Military
From fighter planes to night-vision goggles, Augmented Reality has helped the military in more than one way. The technology gives them an edge while protecting their territory by incorporating infrared detection overlay on their surveillance cameras and accurately tracking the location of faraway suspicious movements.
How will Matellio Help You as a Dedicated AR App Development Company?
With so much untapped potential, Augmented reality apps present some of the most lucrative business opportunities. If you have an idea that can engage and immerse your users, know that you’re sitting on a treasure trove that can transform your business for the better. We at Matellio have all that can be required to develop the best-augmented reality apps. You can easily hire our AR/VR developers or hand over your dream project to us, and we will see to it that the app becomes a successful reality for your business.
We have decades of experience in mobile application development and have created AR apps for some outstanding industry leaders. We know what it takes to create a somewhat indescribable augmented reality app idea into a perfect source of bountiful revenues. What more? Our experts are also skilled in all the arts of app marketing. They can ensure that your brilliant augmented reality app reaches all its potential users with the added advantage of brand positioning. All you need to do to get the ball rolling is fill the form. Our experts will connect the base with you to understand your app idea and give you a free quote with a complete feasibility check.
