How To Build An Augmented Reality Application For Android Devices?

Augmented Reality is not a thing of the past, nor is it a new concept. 

It has been around for many years and has, in fact, earned a competitive edge in the present digital age. Suppose you’re wondering what makes Augmented Reality a transformative solution for many present-day businesses and why it has become so adaptable for companies, including big brands such as IKEA and Target.

In that case, this article is for you. 

Today, we will discuss how augmented reality has redefined user experience across various sectors, including, but not limited to, online gaming, shopping, and even learning and development.

Considering how rapidly augmented reality is being adopted and how it benefits the global business ecosystem, more and more startups and technopreneurs have shown a keen interest in investing in it.

Suppose you’re interested in how to build augmented reality app solutions and want to explore how a custom mobile application development company can help you create these innovative solutions. In that case, this article will guide you through the essential steps to get started.

Statistics On the Usage of Augmented Reality Apps for Businesses 

Yes, augmented reality is not a thing of the past. 

And since the time of its inception, it has garnered a significant audience around AR-based products. What truly makes augmented reality app solutions stand a class apart? 

Here are a few statistics that confirm its efficacy in the digital space: 

• Market Growth: The AR market is expected to expand from $3.5 billion in 2021 to $198.17 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 63.3%.
• User Adoption: 50% of consumers are open to using AR in shopping, indicating significant potential for retail AR applications.
• App Usage: Around 1.5 billion mobile devices will be using AR applications in 2022, projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2024.
• Developer Interest: 68% of mobile developers plan to invest in AR and VR technologies as of 2023.
• User Engagement: AR applications can boost user engagement by up to 40% compared to standard apps.
• Performance Impact: 60% of users would abandon an AR app if it took longer than 3 seconds to load.
• Development Tools: Over 70% of AR developers prefer ARCore for Android development due to its features and support.

Which Market Has the Most Tech Users Located in the AR Space? 

A few good hotspots where AR technology has become quite the trend are Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the United States.

Here’s the complete breakdown of which country has seen the use of AR technology and in what capacity: 

United States

The United States is home to many retail giants and has a thriving eCommerce market. The US has taken charge in almost every other industry, may it be manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, or just about anything else. 

As far as AR technology is concerned, the United States has earned a top spot, and companies like IKEA and Amazon have used AR to enhance the online shopping experience for customers, giving them the edge in visualizing products from the comforts of their homes. We have also seen the rise and adoption of AR in games such as Pokemon GO and saw massive success. All thanks to AR technology and its implementations. 

China

Similarly, China has also dramatically invested in AR games and applications over the years. Many local companies in China have invested in Augmented Reality applications and have helped thousands adopt robust educational tools, leading to a more interactive & engaging learning culture and environment. 

A great implementation is where the Chinese museums have utilized Augmented Reality to create immersive experiences. For example, the Beijing Capital Museum and the Shanghai Museum offer AR-guided tours. During their visit, visitors can best interact with historical artifacts and view additional information about exhibits through their smartphones; in fact, they can experience reality augmentation by simply wearing AR glasses. 

Chinese people can tour their favorite destinations, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which provide historical context, 3D reconstructions, and interactive storytelling to increase visitor experience. 

Japan

Similar to China, Japan is another market where AR technology has taken an uptrend. 

For example, many retail brands exist, such as Shiseido, which use AR for virtual makeup try-ons. The global phenomenon, developed by “Pokemon GO,” first earned its popularity in Japan, where the app was initially launched. The game leverages AR technology, which allows players to catch virtual Pokemon in the real world. The game was highly influenced by Japanese culture, promoting indoor kids to engage in outdoor activities and encouraging them to go on tours and engage with local businesses. 

Another great example that can be quoted here is Uniqlo, a famous Japanese clothing retailer that utilizes AR technology in its respective marketing campaigns. Uniqlo’s AR apps are built to assist customers in visualizing how certain clothing items will appear even before they physically try them on. As in the case of Uniqlo stores, customers can interact with different products by simply pointing their smartphones toward them. Eventually, a mannequin appears, optimizing the overall shopping experience for customers so it gets interactive. 

South Korea

While the race for AR adoption has gained significant popularity in different parts of the world, South Korea has remained active. Today, many South Korean schools incorporate AR to establish interactive learning experiences. For example, the Korean Institute of Science and Technology has developed an AR platform called “AR Education,” which integrates augmented reality into science education as a part of their curriculum. 

The program is specifically designed to allow students to interact with 3D models of scientific concepts, where they engage themselves with complex topics, especially the more tangible ones that are easier to understand. In classrooms, students are encouraged to use innovative technology to scan specially designed markers and visualize 3D displays, such as models of molecules, anatomy, or any physical phenomena. In one instance, we saw how a student was successful in visualizing the entire structure of DNA and rotating the model to explore the details. 

Also Read: The Power of Augmented Reality in Modern Education Systems

United Kingdom

No wonder the land of the Kings and Queens has not taken a backseat, especially when it came to the adoption of AR technology. In London, the British Museum is found to have integrated AR technology into its exhibitions in order to increase visitor engagement and understand the historical journey & the exciting artifacts. 

The museum launched an app that allowed visitors to explore selected exhibits using AR. The app allowed visitors to point their smartphones or tablets at their desired artifacts and unlock interactive experiences. 

For example, businesses in the UK can see 3D reconstructions of ancient objects and view them in context with their historical background. You can see their animations and illustrate their significance & do much more.

What Are the Benefits of Augmented Reality Applications?

With so much hype in the market, you might now be wondering what are the benefits of having an augmented reality application for your business as well.

Here are a few practical business benefits of using AR. 

Competitive Advantage 

A good example of using augmented reality in corporate is how businesses use it in their marketing campaigns. Businesses often use augmented reality in their specific marketing campaigns and direct products or services to reflect a sense of market readiness, adaptability, and responsiveness towards technologies. If you’re in the product or service market seeking to create an impact, then as an early adopter with a forward-thinking approach, you can gain a competitive edge in the business world with AR. 

Advertising, Marketing & Sales 

As is the case with many modern-day businesses and entrepreneurs, they want to introduce something that actually helps them win their customers. Augmented Reality-based solutions can actually assist in following the AIDA model from theory to practical. While adopting AR in your advertising and polishing up customer support experience, here’s how businesses can best capture the audience’s attention. AR can be noteworthy in creating brand awareness, and the best part: brands such as Warby Parker, and Sephora are already nailing it. For example, Sephora gives its customers a chance to have virtual try-ons before purchasing a product. Advertisements can create unique customer experiences & allow for better visual communications internally & externally. 

Enhanced Customer Engagement

In today’s competitive market, businesses are on the hunt for ways to make a lasting impression on their customers. Augmented reality offers a dynamic approach to engage consumers more deeply. By integrating AR into their strategy, companies can reshape how customers interact with products. Take IKEA, for instance—they’ve developed an AR app that allows users to visualize how furniture would look in their homes before purchasing. This added interactivity helps customers feel more confident in their buying decisions and builds a stronger bond with the brand. The outcome? Enhanced customer loyalty and satisfaction, turning one-time buyers into dedicated brand advocates.

Streamlined Training and Development

Beyond customer engagement, augmented reality can also make a huge difference in internal operations, particularly in training and development. Companies can harness AR to build immersive training programs that provide practical experience in a low-risk setting. For example, manufacturers are using AR to simulate machine operations, giving employees hands-on practice without real-world risks. This approach not only shortens the learning curve but also drives efficiency and productivity. By investing in AR for training, businesses can develop a skilled, adaptable workforce prepared for new challenges in today’s fast-paced landscape.

How to Build an Augmented Reality Mobile Application? 

Since we now know which part of the world has the most AR app usage, let us explore how we can turn an augmented reality app into a reality. We understand that there’s a lot of technical stuff which goes into making an AR app and therefore, we are going to put together the perfect roadmap to build your own AR-based application. 

Choosing the Type of AR App 

The first thing you need to pay attention to, especially when it comes to building an AR app, is what type of app you wish to launch for your business. There are multiple types of AR apps available in the market and finding the right one for your business can be easy. How? Well, you just have to look at the different features and decide which app works best for your particular requirements. As an augmented reality app development company, we can guide you through this process, helping you choose the AR solution that fits your requirements.

The different types of AR apps are: 

1. Marker-Based AR (Image Recognition)

• Description: Marker-based AR relies on specific visual markers, like QR codes or images, to trigger virtual content. The app identifies the marker and overlays digital content on the user’s real-world view.
• Example: IKEA Place – Uses image recognition to allow users to place virtual furniture in their space, providing a preview of how it would look in their home environment.

2. Markerless AR (Location-Based or GPS-Based)

• Description: Markerless AR uses GPS, compass, and other location data to display virtual elements based on the user’s location. This type is often used for mapping and location-based experiences.
• Example: Pokémon GO – Combines GPS and camera functionality to let players find and capture Pokémon in real-world locations, blending game elements with physical surroundings.

3. Projection-Based AR

• Description: Projection-based AR involves projecting artificial light onto real-world surfaces, creating interactive displays. This type often uses sensors to detect user interaction.
• Example: Projection Mapping in Museums – Some museums project digital animations or reconstructions onto walls and artifacts to bring exhibits to life, enriching visitor engagement.

4. Superimposition-Based AR

• Description: Superimposition AR replaces or adds elements to the view of an object. This type of AR is commonly used in applications that allow users to try products virtually or visualize modifications.
• Example: Sephora Virtual Artist – Allows users to see how makeup products like lipsticks or eyeshadows would look on their faces by overlaying virtual makeup on a live camera feed.

5. Outlining AR

• Description: Outlining AR uses object recognition to detect edges and boundaries, creating digital outlines for real-world objects. This is helpful in applications requiring enhanced visual guidance.
• Example: AR Navigation Systems – Some navigation apps use outlining AR to help drivers and pedestrians follow routes by highlighting lanes or pathways, improving real-time navigation.

6. Overlay AR

• Description: Overlay AR involves enhancing real-world objects by overlaying additional digital information or modifications, often used in technical fields.
• Example: AR for Surgery (AccuVein) – AccuVein is an overlay AR app used by healthcare providers to visualize veins on a patient’s skin, aiding in precise vein location for injections.

Based on whether you’re a tech startup or a full-fledged enterprise, you can invest in an AR app that best suits your business needs. Businesses mostly invest in app solutions to often fill a market gap by adding it as an added support. AR integrations most likely give a different yet new edge to your business by boosting its marketing & sales efforts. Altogether, futuristic technology adds a unique layer to your business to best engage marketers. 

Features – The Ones You Need to Add 

The feature set is mostly dependent on the functionality you wish to offer within your AR app.

Here are the top 5 features which are necessary in modern augmented reality digital solutions that add greater value: 

1. GPS Detection and Map Integration

• Enables the app to recognize the user’s location and display relevant AR content on a map. This feature is commonly used in location-based AR apps, where virtual objects or experiences appear based on the user’s physical location.

2. Built-In Camera Feature

• Utilizes the device’s camera to capture or scan real-world environments, which serves as the foundation for overlaying virtual content onto the physical world. This feature is essential for displaying AR visuals in real time.

3. Marker Recognition

• Allows the app to detect specific images, icons, or QR codes (known as markers) and trigger associated AR content. This feature is ideal for AR experiences that need to respond to certain physical cues, enhancing user interactivity.

4. Library of 3D Visuals and Text Elements

• Provides a collection of 3D models, animations, and text elements that can be displayed within the AR environment. This library serves as a resource for developers and users to create rich, visually engaging AR experiences.

5. Guest Sign-Up and Social Media Sharing

• Allows users to access the app without full registration and share their AR experiences on social media. This feature helps increase user engagement and allows for easy sharing, broadening the app’s reach and appeal.

Choose a Tech Stack, Create a Development Strategy

Once you have identified what features you want to add to your app, the next step is to choose the right tools and technologies to put together a robust architecture. AR development requires specific frameworks & software development toolkits – and a good number of them aren’t open-source and free. 

Therefore, when you choose a tech stack, here are 4 things you need to consider: 

• What is the size of your AR app and how big is your target audience? 
• What type of features and core functionality will you prefer within your app?
• What is your plan? Whether you want to scale your AR product or business in the future? 
• What is your estimated budget for AR app development? 

A Suitable Technology Stack for Augmented Reality Apps 

Now you might be wondering what type of technology stack is required to build an AR app?

All of these frameworks and software development toolkits come at a certain cost.

Also Read: How Much Does Augmented Reality App Development Cost?

Here’s a suitable technology stack that is well-suited for building just about any augmented reality app, your way. 

1. AR Development Frameworks

• ARCore (Android): Google’s AR platform for Android, providing tools for motion tracking, environmental understanding, and light estimation.
• ARKit (iOS): Apple’s AR framework for iOS devices, supports face tracking, object recognition, and scene reconstruction.
• Unity with AR Foundation: Supports cross-platform AR development by integrating ARCore and ARKit, allowing you to build a single app for both Android and iOS.
• Vuforia: A versatile AR SDK compatible with both Android and iOS that offers features like image and object recognition, model targeting, and ground plane detection.

2. Programming Languages

• Swift (iOS): Primarily used for developing iOS-specific AR applications with ARKit.
• Kotlin (Android): Ideal for developing AR apps for Android with ARCore.
• C# (Unity): Used when building cross-platform apps in Unity, especially with the AR Foundation framework.

3. 3D Modeling and Animation Tools

• Blender: An open-source 3D modeling tool for creating and animating models used in AR experiences.
• Maya or 3ds Max: Industry-standard tools for more complex modeling and rendering.
• Sketchfab or TurboSquid: Libraries that provide 3D models, which can be imported into the app if custom model creation isn’t required.

4. Backend Infrastructure

• Firebase: Provides real-time database, user authentication, and analytics. Ideal for handling user data, media storage, and login functionalities.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP): For managing large datasets, high-resolution 3D content, and any AI processing needs.

5. Cloud Anchoring and Content Delivery

• Google Cloud Anchor API (for ARCore) or Apple’s ARKit Cloud Anchors: These allow persistent and shared AR experiences across devices by saving object positions and allowing other devices to recognize them.
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare or AWS CloudFront: These are used to efficiently deliver high-resolution content, 3D assets, and images to users.

6. Additional Tools and Libraries

• OpenCV: A powerful library for image recognition and processing, enhancing marker detection and tracking accuracy.
• Mapbox: Integrates AR with GPS-based maps for location-based experiences, especially useful in outdoor navigation AR apps.
• Social Media SDKs (Facebook, Instagram, etc.): For social sharing and guest logins, enhancing user engagement and content sharing.

How do you Hire an AR App Developer for an AR App? 

The right developer can make or break your AR app game.

Assuming you already have a technical background, understanding concepts like app coding, AR integrations, and AI programming will gradually become easier.

You’ll also need to decide on the size of your team, whether small or large and consider if you want someone with a business background to ensure they understand your end goal.

If you’re opting for a larger team, having a project manager can help reduce programming roadblocks. The human resources you onboard are crucial, as this will affect both your costs and the expertise you bring to your AR app.

Here are a few things we recommend considering:

• Hiring an in-house team can be expensive since it requires full-time wages. Instead, consider options like staff augmentation or remote teams to develop your AR mobile app.
• Hiring a development team on an hourly basis—such as through staff augmentation or remote staffing—adds flexibility and gives you better control over project timelines.
• Another option is to outsource the entire project to a third-party AR app development company. In this case, you’ll have less control over the monitoring, testing, and launching phases of your AR app.

Just as cost and team structure are essential, so is the location of your AR developer.

Here are some quick tips when hiring a professional:

• For a higher budget, consider hiring from the USA; cities like Miami, Houston, and New York offer skilled AR developers at relatively economical rates compared to Europe.
• Hiring experts from the UAE and Saudi Arabia is also cost-effective. Just make sure to thoroughly review their development portfolio before finalizing any contracts.

Everything Looks Good – Time to Test & Launch

The last step is to send your app live so it can be downloaded by your target audience. 

Testing the app in the beta phase is an integral part of your app launch. During this phase, the app will be checked for multiple aspects such as user experience, performance glitches, and errors in coding. 

AR app developers normally follow three different standards for testing the app. 

They check the app on technical performance – App developers work in tandem with quality assurance experts to check whether the app is bug-free, virus-free, and doesn’t crash while running on different platforms & screen sizes. 

They check the app on navigation & user experience – App testers continuously check the app’s user journey and see if the app is intuitive enough and has a decent load time, sign up, sign in, and other important features. 

They check the app for data accuracy and security – App security specialists ensure they run penetration tests to prevent ethical hacking and make sure they don’t fall prey to data breaches and don’t leak sensitive user information. 

Concluding Thoughts 

Building an augmented reality application for Android devices can be a strategic move for businesses aiming to innovate and engage customers effectively. At the forefront of custom Android app development, we understand the market landscape like no other. By leveraging the right AR technologies, and by focusing on taking a user-centric approach, Branex can create compelling AR experiences, one that increase brand loyalty and drive your business growth.

The future of AR is bright, and not just that, but this technology has set a stone in today’s competitive market. If you haven’t invested in AR technology for your business, now might be the perfect time. 

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