Unveiling the Potential of AR in Businesses: A Guide to Augmented Reality App Development

If you have ever used an application to see how a selected piece of furniture will appear in your room, you have already explored the potential of Augmented Reality technology. AR is making real-world experience possible in many industries, such as enhancing the shopping experience in eCommerce, assisting medical professionals in training in healthcare, and facilitating interior visualization in Real Estate.

The global spending on Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in 2026 is expected to reach $50.9 billion, making it a lucrative technology for businesses. With the integration of immersive technologies, AR made this real-world experience possible. Simply put, Augmented Reality is a standard practice of creating a composite view of the real world. Technologies like superimposed and computer-generated images are utilized in AR to enhance real-world images.

AR technology enhances real-world objects with computer-generated perceptual information. The technology focuses on displaying objects in the form of electronic data and blending digital components into a person’s real-world perception. In 2024, there will be approximately 1.7 billion mobile AR users worldwide. Hence, businesses can leverage this growth with augmented reality app development.

What are the Different Types of Augmented Reality?

Unlike virtual reality, which needs headsets to experience, AR technology can be experienced via mobile applications. Consequently, AR is prevalent in different industry verticals.

The evolution of Augmented Reality has increased the demand for AR app development services. Businesses started investing in different types of augmented reality trends to meet their needs.

Let us look at the five types of Augmented Reality you can implement in your business.

1. Marker-Based Augmented Reality

Marker-based AR, also known as recognition-based AR, provides accurate information about the object being recognized by the AR system. Marker-based AR offers diverse usage for different purposes in the market. It detects the object placed in front of the camera and delivers the exact detail for the same on the screen.

It streamlines the quick way of generating accurate details about a particular object. Object recognition is done by the QR code or visual marker, where the marker has been replaced with the 3D version of the selected object. It allows users to have a detailed view of the object. Users can also rotate the 3D image while rotating the marker.

2. Markerless Augmented Reality

This type of augmented reality is widely used in AR app development. It implements a feature in the app that offers location detection. It analyzes the mobile’s GPS data, accelerometers, and digital compasses while predicting the user’s focus. This type of app primarily focuses on providing the location information about the object placed in front of the user’s camera.

People are fascinated with travel mobile app development to discover nearby locations within their current location. Therefore, the travel industry is taking the best advantage of such apps.

3. Projection Augmented Reality

This is the most minimalist type of AR technology that works on the projection of light on the surface. Projection AR is interactive and appealing and focuses on creating deception about the object’s orientation, depth, and position.

Users can study the structure and depth by considering different objects. The use of this technology is widespread for events like store-opening or pop-up shops.

4. Superimposition-Based Augmented Reality

This AR brings a replacement view of the object in focus. The program uses an augmented view to replace the partial or complete view of an object. Here object recognition plays an important role in identifying the original object to replace with an augmented one. The features like filters on social media platforms have widely popularized this type of AR.

5. Location-based Augmented Reality

This subtype of markerless AR utilizes geographic data to make the augmentations appear at specific locations. Location-based AR is widely popular in creating AR-based games. For instance, Pokémon Go is a successful AR mobile game. Therefore, consider location-based AR to gamify augmented reality platforms.

Top 5 Augmented Reality Trends for 2023

Cutting-edge AR technology has a vast potential to advance many businesses in ranging industries. Here is a brief overview of how the market demand for AR technology is dynamically changing.

1. Rise of Metaverse

The trend of Metaverse in various industries is providing various opportunities, such as attracting consumers, engaging with customers, and enhancing user experience. The Metaverse provides a platform for blending technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

2. AR Avatars

AR avatars are a digital representation of your profile that allows you to share expressions and emotions on a said platform. Focus on achieving accuracy with AI-led technology to create a more personalized experince for your users.

3. Live Streaming

Live streaming shopping is one of the latest trends emerging in the eCommerce industry. AR technology can allow users to try the products from their applications and visualize them in real time.

4. Web-based AR

Apart from mobile applications, Augmented Reality delivers a seamless online experience through web browsers. Unlike mobile applications that need to be downloaded on your phone, experiencing AR via web browsers opens up wider accessibility for businesses.

5. AR Glasses

AR glasses have been the trend for many years now. By the end of 2023, AR glass is expected to be more user-friendly and reach more audiences worldwide. Many industry giants are investing in AR glasses. For instance, the Apple Glasses launch is the most awaited.

Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are two trending technologies. Both of these technologies have completely changed the perspective of how people see the real world. Both the terms are quite confusing as sometimes people think that both are the same.

Augmented Reality

AR is considered the enhanced version of real-world objects. It provides detailed information about the object in focus using the computer-generated image. The AR-based application helps users to have a closer look at the real world. It delivers a bulk of information, including images, text, and a motion view of the object.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation that allows users to explore a different view of the real world, such as animated scenes of real-world objects photographed.
For instance, the virtual reality mobile app development service helps users explore a place they have never been, like the peak of Mount Everest, areas deep under the sea, or the surface of Mars. These apps let users experience the virtual reality of other planets and Earth.

Industries Leveraging The Power of Augmented Reality

As augmented reality have the capability to revolutionize the way people interact with the real world, it has a promising future. With a wave of exciting possibilities on the horizon, now is the time to seize AR opportunities across diverse industry sectors.

1. Healthcare

The AR-enabled healthcare app development provides video platforms and can project augmented hands on the patient. It helps experienced surgeons to help beginners via augmented hands applied to the patients without staying at the exact location.

2. AR for Smart Glasses

Smart glasses have the potential to offer augmented reality experiences. Moreover, it is also an affordable product. Hence, it is one of the proven innovations that help many industries, especially retailers.

3. AR in Education

AR has changed how educational content is delivered. Especially for kids, it has transformed their imagination and development. A successful app like Google Sky Map is best for learning astronomy. It allows students to place their device’s camera in the sky and move it in any direction.

The app will automatically denote the stars and constellations. One more AR-aided education app is Elements 4D, developed by DAQRI. This app helps students to learn chemistry in a better way. The AR-powered custom educational app development services simplify learning.

4. Travel & Tourism

Local and international travelers also benefit from AR capabilities. The travel and tourism industry provides accurate information about the surroundings and localities. The tour and travel AR application allow users to post a particular location, and AR features will cater to the details about the same. Such apps act as guides for voyagers who travel to new locations.

5. AR in Gaming

The gaming industry is gaining high success because of AR technology. The most famous innovation of AR in gaming is Pokemon Go. The implementation of AR in gaming apps has enhanced the user experience and made the gaming experience more enjoyable.

Additionally, AR-based apps can be seen in real-world sports like NBA or FIFA. It allows fans to view the stats and analyze the players during the match. The sports industry is also looking forward to the best sports app development services at a rapid pace.

6. AR in Retail and E-commerce

Many businesses are leveraging the power of AR in retailing and e-commerce businesses. The customers can easily view the product’s price, details and have a closer look at the product. The AR features help eCommerce businesses showcase the products and all the required details of it in a better way. It eliminates the need to visit the physical store in the real world by providing a digitally generated image of a real-world object.

How Can Small Businesses Harness the Effectiveness of Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality is becoming increasingly feasible for businesses. It provides a wide range of promising opportunities for small businesses.

1. Using AR to Get More Customers

Businesses should focus on gaining maximum attention and increasing the number of potential customers. From the food business to the healthcare industry, Sports to on-demand services, companies invest in digital solutions to gain maximum traffic. AR provides main ways for businesses and helps customers buy the virtual try-and-buy experience.

2. Personalizing Products

AR allows consumers to personalize their shopping experience. Customers can personalize products via AR apps via images and videos to meet their tastes. It helps them to make more informed shopping decisions. With the advent of such unique AR features, businesses can perform more professionally and competitively. Augmented Reality app development favors maximizing customer retention and creating a loyal customer base.

3. Offering Instant Product Information

Another approach of AR technology is to help small businesses. It provides immediate and accurate information about the products. It lets customers virtually scan products on the shelves using their smartphones and receive factual and quick information about the product. This helps them to make the right shopping decision.

4. Providing a Virtual Experience

AR provides end users with immersive, futuristic, and virtual experiences and promotes business services. An example is a construction business or interior design agency that takes clients to a 3D walkthrough using AR technology. Clients can view how their home will see the renovation or interior design.

5. Augmented Reality for Advertising

Small to medium-sized businesses will benefit a lot from attention-grabbing advertisements. AR advertising has the potential to grab customers’ attention via moving images and realistic sound effects. Companies of different sectors and sizes can conduct successful advertising campaigns using AR technology.

Tech Stack for Augmented Reality App Development

The AR development tech stack you choose to develop an augmented reality app will vary as per the specific project requirements.

Here are some of the commonly used technologies for Augmented Reality app development.

Programming Languages	Unity/C#, Java/Kotlin, Objective-C/Swift
AR Platforms/ Frameworks	ARKit, ARCore, Vuforia, Unity AR Foundation,
3D Modeling/ Design Software	Autodesk Maya, Blender
Augmented Reality SDKs	Wikitude, Vuforia, ARToolKit, EasyAR
Cloud-Based Services	Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase

How to Develop an Augmented Reality App?

Applying a hand to new tech innovation may seem intimidating at first. But, with a planned development process, it becomes easy to master the latest technology.

Here are the required steps that come under consideration while AR mobile app development:

1. Define Project Requirements: Validate an app idea that maximizes your business growth. Analyze your competitors, identify business objectives, app flow, and everything you need to elaborate on your AR app idea.

2. Choose a Technology Stack: Explore a variety of existing SDKs and Augmented Reality app development platforms. Pick the one that best suits your budget, app idea, and business model.

3. Prototyping and 3D Model Creation: AR primarily needs the presence of 3D objects. You can create a 3D model and get the feedback of a particular set of customers to improve the design.

4. Create App Design: Create a unique design and make all the required text files, data, 3D models, and pictures.

5. Augmented Reality App Development: After finalizing the design and gathering requirements, it is time to combine all the elements on your preferred app development platform.

6. Deployment and Maintenance: Test the application for its navigation, user experience, data accuracy, and security before deploying it to the relevant platform. Ensure your app is updated with the latest SDK after the launch.

What is the Total AR App Development Cost?

Pricing is the primary concern for any business owner. Let us look closely at some of the key cost-influencing factors of AR app development.

1. Selecting a Suitable SDK

The technologies you choose for Augmented Reality application development will define the augmented reality app development cost. There are many popular AR SDKs available, such as Wikitude, Vuforia, ARToolKit, EasyAR, etc., to select as per your project requirements and budget.

2. Cost of Hiring AR Developers

The AR app development process is generally focused on two main principles, which are:

• Based on the marker
• Based on the user’s location

You can hire dedicated app developers proficient in AR development technology. Additionally, focus on hiring AR developers who can work on processing gyroscope data, SLAM technology, and GPS module to implement the required features successfully.

3. App Designing Cost

Designing has become the most sensitive and priority task regarding the 3D model of AR apps. The total estimation of AR app development also depends on the design process, which includes:

• Building wireframe
• 3D model creation
• UI/UX and graphic design
• Creation of animated images

4. App Features

The features you add to an AR application affect the app’s complexity. Moreover, the cost will vary if you want to add more features and custom elements. Hence, features and functionalities are the two major cost-influencing factors in developing any app.

5. App Testing Cost

Never avoid testing your app in every possible way before its final launch. Hire a company with a qualified team of quality analysts to ensure your app delivers flawless performance.

Elevate Your AR App Experience With SparxIT

With several untapped potentials of Augmented Reality, you can leverage its lucrative opportunities for your business. AR technology can transform your app to be more engaging and interactive.

Do you have an app idea and want to build it into reality with augmented reality application development? Hire Augmented Reality developers from SparxIT and leverage the 15+ years of our industry experience.

The developers of SparxIT understand the challenges and requirements of AR app development. Utilizing our experience and knowledge of AR technology, we offer solutions tailored to your needs.

To hire AR app developers from SparxIT, contact us. Our experts will connect with you to give you a better idea of our services and share a free quote.