The Ultimate Augmented Reality Glossary

Ethical Considerations in augmented reality involve addressing the moral and social implications of AR technology.

User Interaction Modes in augmented reality refer to the various ways users can engage with AR content.

Edge Computing in augmented reality involves processing data closer to the source of generation, reducing latency and enhancing real-time performance.

Rapid Prototyping in augmented reality involves the quick and iterative development of prototypes for AR applications.

A Mixed Reality Studio is a creative space equipped with tools and technologies for developing mixed reality experiences.

Eye Tracking in augmented reality involves monitoring the movement and gaze of a user's eyes.

Spatial Mapping in augmented reality refers to the process of creating a digital representation of the physical environment.

Augmented Reality Navigation involves using AR technology to guide users through physical spaces.

Situational Awareness in augmented reality refers to the user's perception and understanding of their environment, both physical and digital.

Ingress/Egress in augmented reality pertains to the entry and exit points within a virtual or augmented environment.

Augmented Reality Glasses are wearable devices that incorporate AR technology to overlay digital content onto the user's real-world view.

LIDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a technology used in augmented reality for depth sensing and spatial mapping.

Field Service Applications in augmented reality are software solutions designed to assist field service technicians and workers.

Wearable Augmented Reality involves the integration of AR technology into wearable devices such as glasses, headsets, or smartwatches.

Cognitive Mapping in augmented reality involves creating mental representations of spatial environments through the integration of digital information.

Digital Transformation in augmented reality refers to the comprehensive integration of digital technologies to fundamentally change how businesses operate and deliver value to customers.

Geofencing is a location-based technology that uses GPS or RFID to create virtual boundaries or "geofences" around specific real-world areas.

Location-based AR Games leverage the user's real-world geographical location to influence gameplay and content.

Augmented Reality Gaming combines digital elements with the real world to create immersive gaming experiences.

Remote maintenance in augmented reality involves utilising AR technology to assist technicians and engineers in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining equipment or machinery from a distance.

Remote product design in augmented reality transforms the collaborative design process by allowing teams to work together in virtual spaces regardless of their physical locations.

Remote training in augmented reality involves the use of AR technology to provide training and skill development to individuals regardless of their physical location.

Cognitive augmentation refers to the use of augmented reality to enhance human cognitive abilities.

Art and creativity in augmented reality (AR) open up new avenues for artistic expression and immersive experiences.

Augmented Tourism transforms the way people experience travel and exploration by integrating augmented reality into the tourism industry.

Storytelling in augmented reality is a narrative technique that leverages AR technology to create interactive and immersive stories.

Education and Learning in augmented reality revolutionise traditional teaching methods by introducing immersive and interactive experiences.

Entertainment AR transforms the way we experience digital content by integrating augmented reality into entertainment experiences.

Cultural Heritage Preservation in augmented reality involves the use of AR technology to safeguard and promote cultural heritage sites, artefacts, and traditions.

Architectural visualisation in augmented reality transforms the way architects, designers, and clients perceive and interact with architectural designs.

Training simulations in augmented reality involve creating virtual environments where individuals can practise and enhance their skills in a safe and controlled setting.

Medical augmented reality is a transformative technology in healthcare that overlays digital information or imagery onto a surgeon's view during medical procedures.

Augmented commerce, often referred to as AR shopping, transforms the retail experience by integrating augmented reality into the shopping process.

Experiential marketing in augmented reality (AR) is a dynamic approach that leverages AR technology to create immersive and engaging brand experiences.

Real-time collaboration in augmented reality involves multiple users or participants working together in a shared AR environment, where they can interact with the same digital content simultaneously.

Aesthetics in augmented reality relate to the visual design and overall appeal of AR content and applications.

In augmented reality, transparency refers to the visual quality that allows users to see and interact with virtual objects while still maintaining a clear view of the real-world environment.

Projection mapping, also known as spatial augmented reality, is a technology that involves projecting digital content onto physical objects or surfaces to create visually stunning and immersive experiences.

Vuforia is an augmented reality software development platform developed by PTC.

Magic Leap is a technology company known for its augmented reality platform and spatial computing technologies.

Microsoft HoloLens is a line of mixed reality headsets that combine augmented reality with virtual reality.

Unreal Engine is a high-end and powerful game engine developed by Epic Games.

Unity 3D, commonly referred to as Unity, is a popular and versatile game development platform that is widely used for creating augmented reality experiences.

An AR SDK, or Augmented Reality Software Development Kit, is a collection of tools, libraries, and resources that empowers developers to create augmented reality applications and experiences.

Photogrammetry is a technique used in augmented reality (AR) and other fields to create accurate and detailed 3D models of real-world objects or environments from 2D photographs. This process involves capturing a series of photographs of an object or scene from different angles and positions.

Cognitive load, in the context of augmented reality, refers to the mental effort and processing capacity required by users to comprehend and interact with AR content.

Mobile AR, or mobile augmented reality, refers to augmented reality experiences that are delivered through smartphones and tablets.

In-App AR, short for "in-application augmented reality," is the integration of augmented reality features and experiences directly within a dedicated mobile application.

Digital content, in the context of augmented reality (AR), refers to any virtual or computer-generated elements that are overlaid onto the real-world environment to enhance or supplement the user's sensory experience.

IoT integration in augmented reality refers to the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and data into AR applications.

Remote assistance in augmented reality involves using AR technology to provide guidance, support, or expertise to a user or another remote location.

Interactive design in augmented reality focuses on creating user experiences that are engaging and responsive.

Real-time rendering is the process of generating and displaying visual content in augmented reality (AR) in near-instantaneous fashion.

User Experience (UX) in the context of augmented reality (AR) refers to the overall quality of the user's interaction with AR applications and their perception of the AR experience.

The User Interface (UI) in augmented reality (AR) refers to the interactive elements and visual components that enable users to engage with and control AR applications.

Animation in augmented reality refers to the process of bringing virtual objects or characters to life through movement and motion.

Natural Feature Tracking (NFT) is a technology used in augmented reality to identify and track distinctive visual features in the environment, such as unique patterns, textures, or landmarks.

Object recognition in augmented reality involves the ability of AR systems to identify and track physical objects or patterns in the real world using computer vision and image processing techniques.

Wearable technology refers to electronic devices that are designed to be worn on the body, often as accessories or clothing items.

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.