FAQ

Outdoor location-based Augmented Reality

Outdoor location-based augmented reality shows augmented reality content triggered by a specific GPS location.

In order for GPS location-based augmented reality apps to work, a user’s phone needs to have the GPS(location) option turned on.

GPS accuracy is affected by a number of factors, including satellite positions, radio signal noise, atmospheric conditions, and natural barriers to the signal. Noise can create an error between 1 to 10 meters and results from static or interference from something near the receiver or something on the same frequency. Objects such as mountains or buildings between the satellite and the receiver can also produce errors, sometimes up to 30 meters. Therefore, a more accurate user position is shown when the user stands on an open field instead in a city surrounded by buildings.

Indoor location-based Augmented Reality

GPS location is not suitable for indoor usage since the use case quite often requires an accuracy of less than 10m. Therefore, we offer two different indoor location-based augmented reality solutions.

Beacon (Bluetooth)

The position inside a building can be determined through the use of a Bluetooth Beacon (iBeacon). Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology enables the use of batteries for months, without having to resort to external power supplies. This means that temporary installations, such as exhibitions, can also be realized in unusual locations. Inside enclosed buildings, the position can be pinpointed to within a few meters.

Smartphone sensors

The utilization of the internal sensors of a smartphone also plays an important role in indoor positioning and indoor navigation. A variety of sensors in a mobile device (smartphone) are used and evaluated: 3G/4G/5G, magnetic fields, compass, barometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope. Positioning can be significantly improved through the unique combination of these technologies with other options for navigation inside enclosed buildings.

An AR marker can be any 2D image, company logo, symbol, or even a simple QR code.

But for the ‘marker’ to work successfully, it should have the following characteristics:

The marker should:

• have rich details
• good contrast
• be rigid, not flexible
• be matte, not glossy

The marker should NOT:

• have large portions of blank areas
• contain mainly text or text only
• only contain graphics that look the same in any orientation, such as the shape of a circle
• only contain graphics with repetitive patterns

Marker physical size

The recommended marker size varies based on the actual target rating and the distance to the physical image target.

A physical printed marker should be at least 3 cm in width and of a reasonable height for a good augmented reality experience.

Consider increasing the size of your marker if the distance of the marker is greater.

You can estimate the minimum size your marker should be by dividing your camera-to-marker distance by approximately 10.

For instance, a 20 cm wide marker would be detectable up to a distance of about 2 meters (20 cm x 10). Note, however, that this is just a rough indication. The actual working distance/size ratio can vary based on lighting conditions, camera focus, and marker rating.

The lighting conditions in your test environment can significantly affect marker detection and tracking.

Make sure that there is enough light in your room or operating environment so that the scene details and marker features are well visible in the camera view. Markers should be viewed in moderately bright and diffused lighting. The surfaces of the object should be evenly lit. Indoor scenes generally work well.

If your application use case and scenarios require operating in dark environments, we recommend using the option of enabling the device Flash torch (if your device has one).

Printed marker – flatness

The quality of detecting the marker can degrade significantly when the printed markers are not flat. When designing the physical printouts, game boards, and play pieces, try to ensure that the markers do not bend, coil up, and are not creased or wrinkled.

Printed marker – glossiness

Printouts from modern laser printers might also be glossy. In ambient lighting conditions, a glossy surface is not a problem. But certain angles and light sources, such as a lamp, window, or the sun, can create a glossy reflection that covers up large parts of the original texture of the printout. The reflection can create issues with tracking and detection, since this problem is very similar to partially covering up the marker.

Viewing angle

The marker features will be harder to detect and tracking will be less stable if you are looking at the marker from a very steep angle, or your marker appears very oblique in regards to the camera. When defining your use scenarios, keep in mind that a marker facing the camera and well aligned with the camera viewing direction will have a better chance to get detected and tracked.

We support both Android and iOS platforms.