ARCore, also known as Google Play Services for AR, is a software development kit developed by Google that allows for augmented reality (AR) applications to be built. ARCore has been integrated into a multitude of devices.[2]

ARCore
Developer(s)Google
Initial releaseFebruary 23, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-02-23)
Stable release
1.45.2420502[1] / August 14, 2024; 2 months ago (2024-08-14)
Operating systemAndroid
PlatformAndroid 7.0 and later
Websitedevelopers.google.com/ar/

Key technologies

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ARCore uses a few key technologies to integrate virtual content with the real world as seen through the camera of a smartphone or tablet.[3] Each of these technologies can be utilized by developers to create a high-quality, immersive AR experience.

Six degrees of freedom

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Environmental understanding

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  • Allows the phone to detect the size and location of flat surfaces - both vertical and horizontal - with feature points.
  • Geometric plane can be calculated based on detected feature points.
  • A scene semantics API is used to gather real-time semantic data about the user's surroundings and uses that data to identify objects and features in view.

Light estimation

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  • Lighting Estimation API allows the phone to estimate the environment's current lighting conditions and display images accurately in relation to real-world lighting.
    • Lighting cues such as shadows and highlights are used to more immersively display virtual objects.[5]

Depth analysis

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  • Utilizes the phone's camera to create depth maps, which enable the device to more accurately determine the amount of space between surfaces based on what is captured.[6]
    • In order to properly assess the real world, depth maps are created to measure the amount of space between objects or surfaces.
    • A depth-from-motion algorithm takes the motion data from the user's camera and utilizes it to create a more detailed depth map.[7]

Geospatial capabilities

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  • This function's API uses GPS and allows creators to give users unique experiences based on their real-world location.[8]
    • Google's visual positioning system (VPS) is utilized for this process.
  • Matches the user's visual data with that of Google Maps to determine precise location.

References

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  1. ^ "Google Play Services for AR APKs". APKMirror. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2. ^ "ARCore supported devices". Google LLC. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  3. ^ Amadeo, Ron (29 August 2017). "Google's ARCore brings augmented reality to millions of Android devices". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Fundamental Concepts". ARCore. Google LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Get the Lighting Right". ARCore. Google LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Fundamental Concepts". ARCore. Google LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Depth Adds Realism". ARCore. Google LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Build global-scale, immersive, location-based AR experiences with the ARCore Geospatial API". ARCore. Google LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
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