Augmented Reality Implementation Methods in Mainstream Applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews methods for implementing augmented reality in mainstream applications, focusing on cost-effective development using existing software libraries like OpenCV for mobile devices.

Contribution

It provides an overview of AR application structures, criteria for selecting software libraries, and demonstrates implementation using OpenCV to lower development costs.

Findings

AR can be effectively deployed on mobile devices

Using existing libraries reduces development costs

OpenCV is suitable for AR application development

Abstract

Augmented reality has became an useful tool in many areas from space exploration to military applications. Although used theoretical principles are well known for almost a decade, the augmented reality is almost exclusively used in high budget solutions with a special hardware. However, in last few years we could see rising popularity of many projects focused on deployment of the augmented reality on different mobile devices. Our article is aimed on developers who consider development of an augmented reality application for the mainstream market. Such developers will be forced to keep the application price, therefore also the development price, at reasonable level. Usage of existing image processing software library could bring a significant cut-down of the development costs. In the theoretical part of the article is presented an overview of the augmented reality application structure. Further, an approach for selection appropriate library as well as the review of the existing software libraries focused in this area is described. The last part of the article outlines our implementation of key parts of the augmented reality application using the OpenCV library.