What is LocAR?

AnywhereAR is patented technology that allows an AR developer or content creator to create real-world AR markers by simply taking a picture.

Marker vs. Markerless AR

Today, augmented reality systems choose between marker or markerless techniques to let the AR system know when and where to present augmented content to the end user.  

A “marker” approach uses simple markers such as a black and white QR code placed on a table, for example, to inform the AR system where the real world camera is positioned.  This technique is simple to implement and requires minimal processing power. However, the AR content curator must position and preserve those markers in exactly the right place in the real world, which in many cases is not simple or even possible.

“Markerless” technology is more flexible.  The AR system recognizes particular features of the real world (such as a corner, a door, or a building outline) to recognize when the real world camera is positioned properly before displaying the augmented content.  However, markerless technology requires much more computer power and sophistication to use, and is not feasible in all situations. In many settings, markerless technology can be easily confused by relatively simple changes in the real world environment.

AnywhereAR – Markerless AR that works

AnywhereAR is a form of markerless AR, but AAR does not rely on complex computer vision algorithms, and is not confused by simple changes in the real world.  With AAR , the marker is simply a recent picture. The AR user is asked to line up the real world (for example, the camera view in a smartphone) with an AAR marker image provided by the AR content creator.

Users have little difficulty in aligning the real world with a recent picture.  Users are not easily confused by simple changes in the real world, such as a car parked in a different spot, or a tree that has lost its leaves.

AnywhereAR provides the flexibility and unobtrusiveness of markerless AR, without the limitations and complications associated with traditional markerless AR.

How does AnywhereAR work?

Add AnywhereAR to AR applications

AAR is easy to add to your existing or new AR applications.  Simply take a picture of the place where you want to start your AR experience, and use that as your marker.  Provide a means to let the user line up the camera with the marker, and when the user signals the camera is lined up properly, start your AR experience.