How to Make an AR App for Your Business – 2023 Guide

Если вы хотите дать своему бизнесу конкурентное преимущество, пришло время подумать о добавлении приложения дополненной реальности к вашему продукту или услуге. Приложения дополненной реальности позволяют брендам повысить качество обслуживания своих клиентов, создавая реалистичные цифровые встречи, которые они не могут получить больше нигде. Независимо от того, являетесь ли вы небольшой компанией, только начинающей свою деятельность, или известным брендом, стремящимся идти в ногу со временем, разработка приложения AR может вывести ваш бизнес на карту и выделить вас среди конкурентов. Продолжайте читать, чтобы узнать , как создать приложение дополненной реальности, чтобы увеличить прибыль.

Откройте для себя внутреннюю механику приложений дополненной реальности: как они улучшают и обогащают наш мир

Augmented Reality applications have quickly become one of the most popular ways to enhance and enrich our lives. By combining real-world objects and visuals with digital components, these apps let us experience a full timbre of emotions. But feelings aside, haven’t you ever wondered how such apps work?  Essentially, they use a combination of computer vision and machine learning algorithms to overlay digital content onto the everyday world seamlessly and intuitively for the user. This process typically involves the following steps:

• Capturing a live video stream of the user’s environment through the camera
• Processing the video stream to identify key features and points in the setting
• Comparing captured elements to a known object and location database

Based on this comparison, the app then determines the position and orientation of the device to the real world. After that, it renders the digital content and displays it on top of the live video stream, correctly aligning it with the actual setting so that it appears to be a part of the environment. Depending on the app’s complexity, it can also touch upon such components as audio, optical, and biological data. 

Step 1. Make Market Research

Doing your research is essential to ensure you’re investing your time, money, and effort in the right direction. An integral part of market research involves understanding what types of apps are already on the app store and what they offer regarding features and functionality. Besides, pay special attention to market trends and customer feedback. It will help you identify your AR app’s potential value and demand and inform your project’s direction and focus. 

Step 2. Define your Requirements

Once you clearly understand your targets and market, it is time to define the requirements and goals of your AR app. It should include a detailed description of the features and functionality you focus on, as well as the desired user experience and overall vision for the project. Clear and comprehensive requirements will serve as a roadmap for the development process and help ensure that your AR app meets your expectations.

Step 3. Hire a Professional Company

Creating an AR app is a complex and technical process that requires specialized skills and field expertise. Therefore, working with a professional development company with practical knowledge in AR app development is advisable to secure the best possible results. Look for a company with a proven track record, a portfolio of successful projects, and a team of solid and knowledgeable developers.

Step 4. Select a Development Approach and Technologies

There are several approaches and technologies to choose from before you start to develop an Augmented Reality app, each with its benefits and limitations. Some options include using a browser-based AR platform, building a native app, or using a hybrid approach. Additionally, you will need to consider which programming languages and tools to use, as well as the hardware and software requirements of the app.

Step 5. Pick an AR app type

There are several unique and potential types of AR apps to pick from. Carefully considering which type is the best fit for your business and audience will ensure that your project is engaging, delightful, and effective.

Some common types of AR apps include:

• Marker-based: These apps use a visual marker (such as a QR code or image) as a reference point to trigger the digital content display. 
• Location-based: These programs use GPS, accelerometers, and other sensors to determine the user’s location and display relevant digital content. 
• Face-based: These apps use facial recognition and tracking technology to overlay digital content onto the user’s face or head. 

Step 6. Choose an SDK

An SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools and resources that enable you to begin an Augmented Reality app creation process for platforms like iOS or Android. Choosing the best-suited SDK is crucial in ensuring that your AR app is reliable, performant, and capable of delivering the features and functionality you need.

Read on to see an extended list of the most practical SDKs to enable you to develop AR apps. Just don’t forget to consider the compatibility and capabilities of the SDK with your development approach and technologies. 

Step 7. Create a Mockup

Before delving into the actual development process, creating a mockup or prototype to test and refine your ideas would be best. This mockup is a simplified version of your app that lets you visualize and interact with the user flow and experience and identify potential issues or challenges. There are several ways to create a mockup for your AR app, ranging from simple wireframes to more detailed interactive models. Some options include using design tools such as Sketch or Adobe XD or specialized AR prototyping tools such as InVision AR or Marvel AR. A simple wireframe may be sufficient to test basic concepts and user flows, while a more detailed interactive model may be necessary to try specific features and interactions.

Step 8. Begin AR app development

With your requirements, approach, technologies, and draft in place, it’s time to build your own AR app! This procedure will involve designing and building the various components and features and integrating any necessary assets and data. Effective communication and collaboration are critical to a successful development process. Make sure to establish clear lines of communication with your development team, and be prepared to provide thoughts and review progress throughout the process. 

Step 9. Test your app

Thorough testing will help you capture and fix any issues or bugs that may impact the quality or performance of your app. Be sure to conduct several testing methods, including:

• Functional testing: This type verifies that the app operates as intended and that all features and functionality are working correctly. 
• Compatibility testing: This type ensures that the app is compatible with various devices, platforms, and operating systems.
• Usability testing: This type evaluates the user experience and usability of the app, identifying any areas for improvement or user frustration. 

Step 10. Release Your AR App

Upon crafting and polishing an AR app, it’s time to launch and promote it to a vast audience to drive adoption and success. The launch process comprises submitting your app to the relevant app store (such as the App Store or Google Play) and completing any necessary approvals or requirements. 

The Financial Implications of Creating an Augmented Reality App

Creating an AR app can be a significant financial investment, with costs ranging from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands, depending on the complexity and scope of the project. The price tag for creating Augmented Reality apps is usually around $50,000 to $150,000. However, this cost can vary widely based on several factors detailed in one of our articles. The following are just the most prominent elements taken into account:

• Development approach and technologies: The development approach and technologies you choose will impact the cost of your AR app. For example, using a browser-based AR platform may be more cost-effective than building a native app but may also have limitations regarding features and capabilities. 
• Scope and features: The number and complexity of features and functionality you include in your AR app will also influence the cost. Adding more advanced or specialized features may increase the price, while developing a more streamlined and focused app may be cheaper. 
• Design and assets: The design and visual elements of your AR app, such as graphics, animations, and 3D models, will also affect the cost. Creating custom designs and assets may increase the price, while using existing or generic assets may be less expensive.
• Development team and resources: The development team and tools you use are also pivotal in calculating the project’s cost. Working with a professional development company or agency may be more costly than hiring freelance developers, but it may also provide more expertise and resources.

The Time Commitment to Creating an Augmented Reality App 

Not only is wherewithal essential when building an AR app, but time also plays an equally important role in the process. Building an AR app can be time-intensive, requiring significant effort and resources to plan, design, develop, test, and launch the project. The exact time will depend on the complexity and scope of the application, as well as the development approach and resources used.

Overall, the time commitment to create an Augmented Reality app can go from several months to over a year. That’s why it is crucial to have a clear timeframe and plan to ensure that the project stays on track and meets deadlines. 

Augmented Reality in Action: Industries That Can Benefit from AR Apps 

AR technology has the potential to bolster and transform various industries, offering new and innovative ways to amuse clients and deliver value. Here are some examples of areas that can benefit from this technology:

Education

AR technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we learn by creating interactive and immersive learning settings. For example, an AR app could bring a biology textbook to life by overlaying 3D models of cells or organs onto the pages. This could help students better understand complex biological concepts. Another example could be an AR app that helps people learn a new language by overlaying translations onto real-world objects in their environment.

Healthcare

AR apps help healthcare professionals visualize and diagnose medical conditions. For instance, an AR app could allow doctors to see a 3D model of a patient’s anatomy and visualize the location and extent of an injury or disease. It would let professionals more accurately diagnose and treat their patients. Moreover, AR apps could train new doctors and medical students by allowing them to practice procedures in a simulated environment.

Retail

AR apps could enhance the shopping experience by allowing clients to try on clothes virtually and visualize how a new haircut or makeup look would appear. It would help customers make more informed purchasing decisions and reduce the need for returns. Suppose a shopper is looking for a new dress. In that case, an AR app could allow them to see how a new dress would look on them before they commit to buying it. Another example could be an AR app that helps buyers visualize how a piece of artwork would look on their walls and how it would fit with the entire decor.   These are just a few examples of the many niches that can profit from AR apps. With the increasing adoption of AR technology, more and more fields will likely find ways to incorporate AR into their products and services.

Top SDK for AR App Development

Vuforia

Vuforia is a popular software development kit for creating AR applications. It offers many features, including visual tracking, image recognition, object recognition, and 3D object rendering. Plus, Vuforia is suitable for various AR app development projects.

Source: Vuforia

Apple ARKit

Apple ARKit is a platform specifically designed for iOS devices. It offers numerous features for developing AR apps, including motion tracking, light estimation, and 3D object rendering. ARKit is suitable for creating AR apps for diverse areas and is valued for its strong integration with Apple’s hardware and software. 

Google ARCore

Google ARCore is a platform designed for Android devices. It provides a lot of features for developing AR apps, such as motion tracking, light estimation, and 3D object rendering. The tool integrates with Google’s soft- and hardware.

Source: Google ARCore

ARToolKit

ARToolKit is an open-source development platform. It empowers users to utilize options like image tracking and object recognition. ARToolKit has been among the top apps used in development projects in the last few years.

Maxst

Maxst is another top-notch cross-platform AR development platform. It provides many features for developing AR apps and is suitable for different projects. Its simple, intuitive, and navigable interface makes Maxst among the top-used SDKs these days.

Source: MakstAR

RealityKit

RealityKit is a tool designed to create apps on Apple devices. RealityKit is suitable for building AR apps for diverse industries, and it also has advanced 3D rendering and physics capabilities.

Unity

Unity is a cross-platform game engine and development platform for AR and VR projects. It comprises multiple features, including motion tracking, light estimation, and 3D object rendering.  

Source: Unity

Kudan

Kudan AR is an easy-to-use SDK, with a high-performative API for creating AR experiences. Kudan AR allows developers to produce applications for several platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows. It’s also good for tracking and displaying 3D objects, recognizing images and markers, and displaying AR content on top of real-world objects.

Wikitude

This SDK enables developers to create AR applications for three core platforms, iOS, Android, and Windows. Wikitude also provides tools and services for designing and managing AR content and hosting and distributing AR applications.

ViroReact

ViroReact’s strong integration with React Native allows developers to create AR apps that are smooth and seamless, delivering a top-notch user experience. ViroReact is a flexible choice for AR development, supporting various programming languages and frameworks. It is a powerful choice for developers looking to create A-level AR experiences.

Source: ViroReact

Deep AR

Deep AR’s cross-platform support enables experts to create AR apps on various gadgets and platforms, making it a flexible choice for any industry. Whether you’re looking to create immersive retail experiences, educational AR content, or something entirely new, Deep AR is the perfect partner for your journey. 

How to choose the right SDK?

When choosing the best Software Development Kits for your AR app project, there are a few key factors to consider. First, it’s essential to determine the platforms and devices you want to support with your AR app. Some SDKs are cross-platform, meaning they can make an Augmented Reality app on various operating systems and devices, while others are specific to a particular platform or device. 

Next, consider each SDK’s features, tools, capabilities, and performance. Different SDKs provide different attributes, so it’s vital to choose one that meets the needs of your AR app project. You also want to consider factors such as image tracking, object recognition, 3D object rendering, motion tracking, and light estimation.  In addition to features and performance, consider each SDK’s level of documentation and support. Look for SDKs that offer comprehensive documentation and support resources, such as tutorials, forums, and developer support.  Finally, pay attention to the pricing and licensing options of each SDK. Some kits are free, while others require a licensing fee or subscription. 

Best Examples of AR Apps

Google Maps

Google Maps is considered one of the best examples of AR apps. One of the main reasons is its innovative AR technology that provides users with more accurate and intuitive directions. With its Live View feature, Google Maps allows people to hold their phone up to the real world and see a live view of their surroundings, with digital overlays showing their current location, nearby points of interest, and suggested routes.  Besides Live View, Google Maps uses AR to provide people with more captivating experiences. For example, the app offers 3D city models that users can view in AR, allowing them to see a realistic 3D representation of the cityscape around them. Google Maps also utilizes AR to provide location recommendations based on people’s interests and preferences. Assume you are looking for a coffee shop. In that case, the app might use AR to show recommendations for nearby coffee shops, with digital overlays highlighting your location on the map.

Snapchat

As one of another best examples of AR apps, Snapchat has integrated AR into many of its features, allowing Snapchatters to enhance and alter their photos and videos with digital filters and effects.  Besides its wide range of AR filters, Snapchat is known for its ‘Lenses’ feature.  Lenses use facial recognition technology to track users’ movements and expressions and apply real-time effects and animations to their faces and surroundings. These Lenses can stretch from fun and silly to creative and artistic and are a constitutive part of what makes Snapchat one of the field’s heavy hitters.

IKEA Place

IKEA Place is a groundbreaking AR app that lets anyone virtually place furniture from the IKEA catalog into their homes, helping them visualize how different pieces will look and fit in their spaces. As one of the most prominent examples of AR apps, IKEA Place has revolutionized the way people shop for furniture, providing them with a more conscious and modern shopping experience. The app uses advanced 3D modeling and rendering techniques to create detailed, lifelike models of IKEA’s furniture. This level of realism is unmatched by traditional online furniture shopping and makes IKEA Place genuinely innovative and all-embracing.

Siwas

Siwa’s Energy Drink is an AR app designed by WE/AR Studio. It stands out as one of the best examples of AR apps because of its real-world experience. Using cutting-edge AR technology, the app transports users to a virtual setting where they can explore new environments. This level of interactivity is unrivaled in the world of energy drinks and sets Siwa’s Energy Drink apart as a truly original and appealing brand. The app features stunning 3D graphics, realistic physics, and immersive sound effects. This level of attention to detail and polish is evident in every aspect of Siwa’s Energy Drink, making it a standout example of AR app design.

FairTrade

The FairTrade AR app was among our most challenging yet successful works in Augmented Reality application development. It is designed to educate users about the impact of their purchasing choices and the importance of supporting fair trade. FairTrade app features interactive animations and 360 virtual tours that let you learn about the fair trade movement, communities, and crops worldwide without informational overload.   

Pepsi

Created by our team a few years ago, Pepsi AR filters echoed in the Pepsi-lovers community long after the brand’s Instagram Summergram advertising campaign. In tight cooperation with the company, WE/AR Studio combined simplicity while doubling down on visual appeal and entertaining nature. The results were terrific: everyone with a gadget and camera could scan a QR code placed on millions of Pepsi bottles and have fun. See for yourself – [vid]

Mojokaii

Almost three years into releasing a Mojokaii AR app, it doesn’t show signs of getting off the sidelines. In pursuing becoming more competitive, the Mojokaii company reached out to us, asking to create an AR app for their flavorful and highly competitive energy booster. The product exceeded the brand’s expectations. Pointing a camera onto the gaming booster would activate an anime character with unique ultimate abilities to demonstrate the drink’s contents and effects after consumption. The app allowed the brand to accumulate new clients and multiply its retention rate promptly. See the showcase

Wrapping it all up

In conclusion, developing an AR application for your business can be strategic for enhancing client engagement and bringing a unique value proposition to your brand. By carefully considering your business goals and target audience and working with a team of skilled AR developers, you can create your own AR app that effectively integrates into your overall marketing strategy and delivers tangible results.  Whether you want to make your products gleaming, provide a new level of customer service, or simply create a fun and memorable brand experience, an AR app is a stepping stone to achieving that.

Поскольку технология AR продолжает развиваться и становится все более широко распространенной, сейчас самое время начать изучать возможности и позиционировать свой бизнес для достижения успеха в этой захватывающей и быстро развивающейся области. Наша команда экспертов будет работать с вами над созданием приложения дополненной реальности для вашего предприятия, предоставляя готовый продукт, который привлекает и вдохновляет пользователей.

Воспользуйтесь этой возможностью, чтобы выделиться среди конкурентов и добиться результатов для своего бизнеса. Свяжитесь с нами сейчас, и давайте начнем воплощать ваше видение дополненной реальности в реальность. Для начала напишите нам на hello@wear-studio.com для консультации с одним из наших специалистов.