Wikitude

Wikitude
Developer(s) Wikitude GmbH
Initial release October 20, 2008 (2008-10-20)
Stable release
7.1 / September 21, 2017 (2017-09-21)
Operating system Android, iOS[1]
Available in English
Type Augmented reality
License Free Trial and Commercial License
Website www.wikitude.com

Wikitude is a mobile augmented reality (AR) technology provider based in Salzburg, Austria. Founded in 2008, Wikitude initially focused on providing location-based augmented reality experiences through the Wikitude World Browser App. In 2012, the company restructured its proposition by launching the Wikitude SDK,[2] a development framework utilizing image recognition and tracking, and geolocation technologies.

The Wikitude SDK is the company's core product. First launched in October 2008, the SDK includes image recognition & tracking, 3D model rendering, video overlay, location based AR, and SLAM technology (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) which enables object recognition and tracking, as well as markerless instant tracking. The cross platform SDK is available for Android and iOS operating systems, and is optimized for several smart eyewear devices.[2]

The Wikitude app was the first publicly available application that used a location-based approach to augmented reality.[3][4]

How it works

For location-based augmented reality, the position of objects on the screen of the mobile device is calculated using the user's position (by GPS or Wifi), the direction in which the user is facing (by using the compass) and accelerometer.

Since August 2012, Wikitude also features image recognition technologies that allow for tracker images to trigger augmented reality technology within the app.[5]

In 2017 Wikitude launched its SLAM technology. Instant Tracking[6], the first feature using SLAM[7], allows developers to easily map environments and display augmented reality content without the need for target images (markers). Object Recognition is the latest addition based on SLAM, with the launch of SDK 7. The idea behind Object Tracking it is very similar to Image Tracking, but instead of recognizing images and planar surfaces, the Object Tracker can work with three-dimensional structures and objects (tools, toys, machinery…).

User generated content

Content in the Wikitude World Browser is mostly user generated. Content can be added by a web interface, by KML, and ARML.[8] In addition, Web services are available to register the delivery of dynamic data. Wikitude is a W3C member and OGC[9] member and is working to develop ARML further as part of a W3C ARML project.[10]

Discussion

Opinions differ as to whether the location-based approach of augmented reality implemented by Wikitude can be considered as augmented reality.[11] There is also concern for the accuracy of the GPS, compass and motion sensors used to calculate the position of the virtual objects. Inaccuracies could accumulate to the point that they prevent delivering a feasible result. In practice, this technique proves to be much simpler to implement than ones using the marker-based approach. In a current listing of the Top 5 AR Apps[12] from The Telegraph, three mobile applications use the location-based approach (Google Goggles used both approaches).

Awards

  • 2017:
    • Best Developer Tool 2017, Augmented World Expo[13]
  • 2015:
    • Honorable Mentions for Best Tool 2015, Augmented World Expo[14]
  • 2012:
    • Best Augmented Reality Browser, Augmented Planet[15]
    • Best Augmented Reality Developer Tool, Augmented Planet[15]
    • Android Apps Magazine – Best Augmented Reality app 2013[16]
  • 2011:
    • Best Augmented Reality Browser, Augmented Planet[17]
    • Best Augmented Reality Developer Tool, Augmented Planet[17]
    • Best BBM Connected Application, BlackBerry® EMEA Innovation Award[18]
    • Most Addictive Social App using BBM Social Platform, 2011 BlackBerry Developer Challenge[19]
  • 2010:
    • Best Augmented Reality Browser, Augmented Planet;[20]
    • World Summit Award[21]
    • Galileo Master 2010 at European Satellite Navigation Competition[22]
    • Global Champion at Navteq Challenge 2010[23]
    • Hagenberg Award[24]
    • Grand Prize Winner Navteq Challenge 2010 (EMEA Region)[25]
  • 2009:
    • Best Augmented Reality Browser, Augmented Planet[26]
    • GSMA Mobile Innovation 2009 Global Competition EMEA "Top Innovator"
    • Salzburger Wirtschaftspreis[27]
  • 2008:

References

  1. "Wikitude". Wikitude website. Wikitude GmbH. Retrieved 2011-09-07. Wikitude is an augmented reality browser. Augmented reality (AR) overlays virtual vision and information on the real world to enhance human visual perception
  2. 1 2 Wikitude (2014-11-23). "The world's leading augmented reality SDK". wikitude.com. Retrieved 2015-06-22.
  3. Simon Perry (2008-10-23). "Wikitude: Android App With Augmented Reality: Mind Blowing". digital-lifestyles.info. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  4. Daniel Wagner (2009-08-06). "History of Mobile Augmented Reality". Institute for Computergraphics and Vision. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  5. Simon Sage (2012-08-17). "Wikitude update adds image recognition, enables quick exchange rate checking". androidcentral.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  6. "Wikitude SDK 6 Embarks into Mixed Reality with Instant Tracking". WonderHowTo. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  7. "Tracking of a new generation - ViewAR and Wikitude on Augmented Reality apps". ViewAR - Augmented Reality (in German). 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  8. Martin Lechner (2009-08-30). "ARML Specification for Wikitude". www.openarml.org. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  9. opengeospatial.org (2011-09-14). "The OGC Forms International Augmented Reality Standards Working Group". www.opengeospatial.org. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  10. opengeospatial.org (2012-11-15). "The OGC seeks comments on candidate Augmented Reality Markup Language (ARML 2.0) standard". www.opengeospatial.org. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  11. Mok Oh (2009-08-23). "Is That *Really* Augmented Reality?". allthingsv.com. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  12. Warman, Matt (January 11, 2010). "Top 5 augmented reality applications". The Telegraph. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  13. "2017 Auggie Awards Winners". Augmented World Expo. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  14. Augmented World Exp (2015-06-10). "2015 Auggie Awards Winners". www.augmentedworldexpo.com/. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
  15. 1 2 Lester Madden (2012-11-01). "Readers Choice Awards 2012 Winners". www.augmentedplanet.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  16. Android Magazine (2012-11-15). "Android Apps Magazine – Best Augmented Reality app 2013" (PDF). www.androidmag.de. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  17. 1 2 Lester Madden (2011-12-21). "Readers Choice Awards 2011 Winners". www.augmentedplanet.com. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  18. RIM (2011-12-07). "Wikitude Expands Support for BlackBerry Smartphones". press.rim.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  19. BlackBerry Partners Fund (2011-10-18). "BlackBerry Partners Fund Announces Winners of the "BBM" Competition in the 2011 BlackBerry Developer Challenge". www.blackberrypartnersfund.com. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  20. Lester Madden (2011-01-07). "Readers Choice Awards 2010 Winners". www.augmentedplanet.com. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  21. WSA Mobile (2010-12-01). "Wikitude World Browser, WSA-mobile Winner in the category m-Tourism & Culture, 2010". www.wsa-mobile.org. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  22. ESNC (2010-10-18). "Augmented Reality Navigation Brings Home First Prize in European Satellite Navigation Competition 2010". www.galileo-masters.eu. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  23. Navteq (2010-01-10). "NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge® CHAMPION". www.nn4d.com. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
  24. Monitor (2010-11-24). "Softwarepark Hagenberg Award". www.monitor.co.at. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  25. NAVTEQ (2010-10-18). "NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge® CHAMPION". www.nn4d.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  26. Lester Madden (2009-12-18). "Best Augmented Reality Of 2009 – Awards". www.augmentedplanet.com. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
  27. WSA Mobile (2009-11-01). "Die Preisträger im Bereich Innovation". portal.wko.at. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  28. Jason Chen (2008-05-13). "Android Developers Blog I Top 50 Applications". android-developers.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  29. Sarah Perez (2008-05-13). "Android Developer Challenge I Winners Announced: Our Picks". readwriteweb.com/. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  30. Tom Krazit (2008-05-13). "Google chooses 50 finalists in Android Developer Challenge". news.cnet.com. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  31. Erick Schonfeld (2008-05-13). "Fifty Android Developers Get $25,000 Each: The List". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
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