The Ultimate Augmented Reality Glossary

Wayfinding in augmented reality involves providing users with real-time navigation and directional guidance within their environment using digital overlays and visual cues.

Geolocation in augmented reality refers to the process of determining and utilising a user's precise geographic location on Earth's surface.

Rendering is the process of generating a visual representation of a 3D scene or object from a 3D model.

3D scanning is the process of capturing the physical world in three dimensions using specialised hardware and software.

3D modelling in the context of augmented reality (AR) refers to the process of creating three-dimensional digital representations of objects or environments.

Computer vision is a fundamental technology in augmented reality that enables AR systems to understand and interpret the visual world through the analysis of images and videos.

Hand tracking in augmented reality involves the capability of AR systems to accurately track and interpret the movements and gestures of the user's hands without the need for physical controllers or gloves.

The AR Cloud is a central concept in augmented reality that represents a shared, persistent, and dynamic 3D map of the real world, enriched with spatial information and digital content.

A reticle in augmented reality is a visual element, typically displayed as a graphical overlay, such as a crosshair or dot, that helps users aim, point, or interact with virtual objects in the AR environment.

Immersion in the context of augmented reality refers to the degree to which a user feels fully engaged and absorbed in the augmented experience.

Persistence, also known as "object persistence," refers to the quality of virtual objects maintaining their position and orientation in the user's augmented reality view over time.

Occlusion is a critical concept in augmented reality that involves the realistic hiding of virtual objects behind real-world objects or surfaces.

Anchoring in augmented reality refers to attaching virtual objects to specific points or surfaces in the physical world.

Calibration in augmented reality involves the process of aligning virtual objects with the real-world environment to ensure accurate and seamless integration.

Gesture Recognition is a technology that allows augmented reality systems to interpret and respond to human gestures, such as hand movements, gestures, or poses. It enables users to interact intuitively with digital content by translating their physical actions into meaningful commands.

SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) is a foundational technology in augmented reality that enables devices to understand their position and orientation in relation to the surrounding environment while simultaneously creating a map of the environment itself.

Depth Sensing is a technology used in augmented reality devices to perceive and measure the distances between objects and surfaces in the physical environment.

The Field of View (FOV) in augmented reality refers to the extent of the visible area that a user can perceive through an AR device, such as smart glasses or a head-mounted display.

Smart Glasses are a type of wearable technology that combines eyewear with advanced computing capabilities, offering users contextual information and interactive experiences.

A Head-Mounted Display (HMD) is a wearable device that delivers immersive visual experiences by presenting digital content directly in the user's field of view.

Spatial Computing involves the interaction between computers and the physical world, enabling devices to understand, interpret, and respond to spatial relationships and the environment.

A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or environment.

Holography is a technique that captures and reproduces three-dimensional images using light.

Immersive Technology refers to digital experiences that engage and surround users, blurring the boundary between the physical and digital worlds.

Mixed Reality (MR) refers to a spectrum that combines elements of both Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to create an interactive environment where physical and digital objects coexist and interact in real-time.

glTF, or GL Transmission Format, is a 3D file format often used for interactive web-based experiences. It's ability to handle animation easily makes it perfect for AR, VR & XR experiences.

Virtual Reality is immersing the user in a fully simulated digital environment. To accomplish this, the user must wear equipment such as a headset.

Extended Reality (XR) is an all-encompassing term for any kind of method that merges the physical world with the virtual.

An Augmented Reality trigger is the use of a real world element such as objects or faces to place virtual content to provide the user an experience.

Automatic initialization is the instant processing of the real-world environment in order to automatically place virtual elements onto that image seamlessly.

As opposed to Marker-based Augmented Reality, Markerless AR doesn't use markers with which to build an AR experience

Marker-based AR means that the virtual elements are introduced using a recognizable image from the real world.

Augmented Reality Overlay refers to the digital data that overlays the real-world environment shown through the phone’s camera.

Geo AR, or location-based Augmented Reality, places virtual elements into the user’s real-world environment into fixed, real-time locations.

Augmented Reality Try-on means giving customers the ability to virtually try out products before purchasing.

Web Augmented Reality Holograms is a 2D or 3D animation or video, be it a person or thing, that plays or appears in the user’s real world environment.

A three-dimensional Augmented Reality Model means virtually placing a realistic, 3D item into the customer’s real world environment.

One of the main types of Augmented Reality content, AR video places a video virtually within the user’s real world environment. This has a diverse amount of applications depending on the kind of video and where the video is placed within the experience. 

Embedded AR means affixing an Augmented Reality experience into an existing website.

AR e-commerce is giving the customer the ability to place a virtual version of the product into their real world environment. Using their phone screen showing the real place, the customer can enable seeing the product in the space in real time before buying.

AR Product Packaging is building an AR experience around a brand’s physical packaging. By making the packaging itself interactive, the brand creates a memorable experience that alters the way customers view the brand.

An AR Portal is a doorway into virtual worlds placed into the user’s real world environment. It gives the experience of providing a portal to enter a digital space without the need of VR glasses.

Social AR, or Social Augmented Reality is the use of Augmented Reality within social media applications such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. 

Gamification is the use of game-focused elements that help to increase the engagement within an Augmented Reality experience. Elements such as scoring points, competing against other players or skill based mini-games. 

Haptics refers to the use of technology that stimulates the feeling of touch and motion, which is extremely useful within Augmented Reality experiences to increase the feeling of immersion.

Inline AR means to embed an Augmented Reality experience into an existing website. This is usually most suited to product pages or e-commerce stores where you’d want to give website visitors the ability to interact with your AR experience without leaving the website.

App-based AR, or app-based Augmented Reality is the use of Augmented Reality technology using a dedicated application. App-based Augmented Reality can be created using pre-existing SDK’s.

There are three main approaches to Augmented Reality tracking and depending on the AR experience the most appropriate one will be utilised. Those technologies include: SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), depth tracking (sensor data calculating the distance to the objects), or NFT (natural feature tracking) to name a few.

‘AR’ is the acronym which usually describes Augmented Reality technology. AR is considered an emerging technology, however it’s seeing fast growing widespread adoption across a wide selection of industries. 

AR events are best described as virtual events held online using Augmented Reality as the main technology. A great example of a pure-bred Augmented Reality event is the Pot Noodle Virtual Careers Fair.

Augmented Reality business cards are printed, physical business cards with the addition of an AR activation integrated into the design. Often triggered by a QR code, AR business cards give networkers the opportunity to digitize their existing business cards.

There are a wide range of AR Analytics types, and lots of ways to track Augmented Reality performance. From platforms like Google Analytics, to cutting-edge technologies like Spatial Tech.

Degrees of freedom (DoF) is the name given to the number of basic ways a solid object can move through a 3D space. In total, there are six degrees of freedom. 3DoF, relates to the rotational movements around the x,y and z axes, which are known as roll pitch and yaw.

Degrees of freedom (DoF) is the name given to the number of basic ways a solid object can move through a 3D space. In total, there are six degrees of freedom. 6DoF relates to the translational movement along those axes, which are more commonly understood to be moving forward or backward, up or down, or left or right.

AR marketing is the use of Augmented Reality technology within a brand marketing campaign. There are a variety of ways Augmented Reality can be used within marketing, examples of which include: Experiential campaigns, virtual product try-on experiences and immersive or engaging creative campaigns.

ARCore, is Google’s software development platform to build Augmented Reality experiences. By using different APIs, ARCore enables smartphones to sense the world around and interact with the environment through the data collected. Some of the APIs are available across Android and iOS to enable shared Augmented Reality experiences.

Heads-up Display, also known as HUD, is a transparent graphic which displays data in the line of sight, eliminating the need to look away from the usual viewpoint.

ARKit is Apple's augmented reality platform for iOS devices. The platform enables developers to create apps which interact with the world through the power of augmented reality by using the device's cameras and sensors.

Augmented Reality technology enables interactive 3D and 2D experiences, overlaid onto real-world environments. The immersive technology allows access to experiences without the need for full-face VR headsets. As opposed to Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality users keep the ability to use their peripheral vision and senses.

Augmented Reality print enables users to activate Web AR experiences directly from the print design, often through scanning a QR code or displaying a short URL. Web-based Augmented Reality is crucial to the functionality of AR print.

AR Direct Mail, or Augmented Reality Direct Mail is the integration of Augmented Reality technology with traditional direct mail marketing. Activating AR experiences directly from the direct mail increases engagement and campaign ROI.

Outdoor, or Out Of Home (OOH) advertising can be anything from a poster to a bus bench to a billboard. OOH takes advantage of foot traffic and busy public locations to get a message across. AR OOH can turn these canvases or even a business storefront into a visual experience for passers-by.

App-less AR, or app-less Augmented Reality is the use of Augmented Reality technology without the need for a dedicated application to function. Otherwise known as Web AR, app-less AR is the more user-friendly version of AR technology.

8th Wall is the industry leading WebAR framework. 8th Wall provides developer tools to create and deploy Web-based Augmented Reality experiences for brands, agencies and creatives.

Augmented Reality face effects were popularised by apps like Snapchat and Instagram. There are dozens are different types of AR face filters, from beauty filters which can be used to showcase make-up products to comedic filters that are created to make people laugh.

360-degree videos are often used within AR/VR experiences to provide fully immersive content. Users can look in every direction to view the content, allowing for 360 degrees of view. 360 degree video is typically captured using omnidirectional, dedicated camera hardware however the same effect can be achieved using multiple cameras at once.

Web-based Augmented Reality, or Web AR occurs entirely within the web browser, meaning simply that no app download is required to view the augmented content. Web AR experiences can feature a wide variety of content types and features.