INTRODUCTION TO

AUGMENTED REALITY
TECHNOLOGY
AR ON MOBILE APPLICATIONS
What is Augmented Reality (AR) technology?
Definition of AR

• Augmented Reality is a variation of Virtual Reality.

VR technology completely immerses users within a
synthetic environment where users cannot see the
real world around him, whereas AR allows the user
to see the real world, with virtual objects
superimposed upon or composited with the real
world. AR supplements reality, rather than
completely replacing it. (Azuma, 1997).
Augmented Reality and It’s History

• Augmented Reality makes your world more thrilling and

exciting. Not only in entertainment but it also uses in
various businesses and industry verticals throughout the
globe. The word Augmented is derived from the word
“Augment” which means to add or to enhance
something.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
The Chronicles

• The concept of AR was first seen in the year 1901 when famous
author L.Frank Baum in his novel mentioned the idea of AR,
according to which electronic glasses mapped data onto people
through a “character maker” device.
• Later in 1957 renowned cinematographer, Morton Heilig invented a
sensor called Sensorama that gives sensations of visuals, sounds,
smell and also vibration.
• Decades later in 1992, Louis Rosenberg developed one of the first
functioning Augmented Reality systems, called Virtual Fixtures. It
was designed to fulfill the requirement of high-speed 3D graphics.
Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
The Chronicles cont.

• Gradually the technology has gone through various

changes and enhancements. The most recent example of
AR technology is the game namely “Pokemon Go” which
was released in July 2016 by Niantic, an American
software development company. It has been in the news
for numerous reasons (good and bad both). But it has
definitely given new dimensions to AR-based games.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
Types of Augmented Reality

• AR is classified into various categories. Each category is

having a different use in the different case. The
following are major 4 type of Augmented Reality:

Marker-Based Augmented Reality

Marker-less Augmented Reality
Projection Augmented Reality
Superimposition Based Augmented Reality

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
Marker-Based Augmented Reality

Marker-Based AR is also
called Image Recognition or
Recognition based AR. In
simple words, this technology
uses the camera in AR device
to produce a result. QR and
2D are the examples of the
visual marker. The users get
the result when camera
reader senses the marker.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
The marker-based AR technology is having
the following uses:
• It detects the object in front of the camera and gives information about the
detected object on the screen.
• It translates the words seen by the camera using Optical Character Recognition
technology and shows them with the translated version.
• The technology is also useful in education as it can help students to bring their
imagination turned into reality.
• It also helps in creating 3D simulations of the objects or architectures without
building it in physical form.
In this technology, the position and orientation of the object are calculated first
and later the gathered information is overlaid by the marker, on the object.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Marker-less Augmented Reality

Marker-less Augmented Reality is

also called location-based AR. It
is one of the most widely used
and implemented type of
technology. Marker-less is also
known as position based AR and
GPS based Augmented
Technology.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Marker-less Augmented Reality cont.

Marker-Less AR is the only type of AR

technology which does not use any
kind of recognition system and hence
it does not require augmentation.
Another difference is, the location-
based AR does not know about the
object whereas recognition based AR
apps do. To provide a fecund result,
this technology uses various location
tools and helps in recognizing
location on your devices.
Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
Marker-less Augmented Reality cont.

• The location tools are as follows: GPS, digital compass, velocity

meter and, accelerometer. This technology proves as a helping
hand to voracious travelers in detecting their
locations/destinations and works by recognizing the current
location of the user. It detects orientation, reads the data through
GPS and predicts the locations where the user wants to go and
finally show the relevant information on their screen of user’s
Smartphone. Mapping the directions and searching the nearby
places are other uses of location-based AR.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Projection Augmented Reality

Evident to its name this

technology is based on AR
projection function, where lights
from the device projected on the
objects.
There are numerous approaches
which make this technology more
interesting.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Projection Augmented Reality cont.

One of the approaches is throwing

the light onto the surface of the real
world and makes it interactive by
the human touch with the help of
sensors. The projection can also be
done in mid-air with the help of laser
plasma technology. It helps in
studying the structure and
configurations of projected images.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Projection Augmented Reality cont.

Example: When the light of the

calculator is thrown through
projection-based AR device on
your palm the 12 partitions in
your hand will become 12 buttons
and a user can touch these
buttons and can interact with
them.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Superimposition Based Augmented Reality

It is indeed one of the most

important types of technology
where object recognition plays an
important role. In this
technology, the augmented image
can replace the original image,
either partially or fully.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Superimposition Based Augmented Reality
cont.
The technology is useful in the
medical field. A doctor can
thoroughly examine patient and
gives a proper treatment.

The technology is also helpful in a

military application as
superimposition based AR can
offer multiple views of a target
without any distraction. 
Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
 Superimposition Based Augmented Reality
cont.
This technology would be a boon
for history lovers as a
superimposition of ancient images
over current one can reveal lots
of secret about the past. It can
also help in making science
education more interesting for
example, studying bone
structure.

Singh, Hemendra (2018, Feb.23). What is Augmented Reality? –Types of AR and Future of Augmented Reality. Retrieved from
https://dev.to/theninehertz/what-is-augmented-reality--types-of-ar-and-future-of-augmented-reality--1en0.
Technical Details
Technical Details cont.
Software to use
Step 1

• Create an
account in
Unity3D website

https://unity3d
.com/
Step 2

• Create an
account in
Vuforia website

https://develop
er.vuforia.com/
vui/auth/login
Step 3

• Install the UnitySetup5.5.1f1

• Unity Setup Android Support for Editor 5.5.1f1
• Android SDK
• Java JDK for Android
Development of AR application

• Unity interface
• Importing of Unity assets
• Unity UI functions (Buttons, Panel, Texts, etc.)
• Vuforia assets (AR Camera, Video Playback, Image
Target/ Device Database)
• Installing the application into mobile devices
Sample of the application