Augmented Reality is a bridging technology that is going to influence almost every aspect of our lives. Technologically still at its beginnings and often looked as gimmicky or promotional, but it is going to drive the innovation within the gaming, medical, mobile, automotive and manufacturing industries. In a latest report of Semico, the total global revenue from augmented reality will touch $ 600 billion by the year 2016. Which even estimates that more than 864 million devices will be equipped with augmented reality by 2014.
The arena of innovation in augmented reality is one of the most interesting game for some past years now. Many technology companies has eagerly stepped onto this stage and each year AR community organizes expo and awards where they battle it out for the best spot. The scenario has become even interesting after the launch of Google's Glasses. Augmented Reality awards and expo are events where these tech companies are presenting amazing feats and mind boggling concepts. Following are some of the companies that have made impressive marks in the augmented reality field.
Metaio: Metaio has been recognized for its research in the AR and its mobile SDK kit and recently in AR summit 2013 the company was praised for its commendable AR engine as the best. ‘Junaio’ a product of metaio is free and downloadable form Google’s play store.
Wikitude: The consistent winner of the AR browser category Wikitude also offers a multiplatform SDK’s for developers. With a great community base and support,Wikitude is the creator of the world’s first AR browser on all platforms.Wikitude has hands free utility which means it can also be used with Google’s Glasses and other AR glasses.
Vuzix: Vuzix Corporation is a privately held company and the pioneer in manufacturing Video Eyewear and personal display devices for the mobile video, entertainment, defence and commercial markets. Lately its model M-100 has created some buzz. Winner of AR summit 2013 in the category of best hardware innovation, it claims to be the best in smart glass category.
Layar: Layar is a comprehensive AR browser well-known for simple arrangement of data in separate layers.An AR browser praised for its design and simplified data organization it’s also among the top contender in the category of best AR browser.
Vuforia: Vufoira is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. A vision based image recognition technology offers a platform which has several capabilities and features. Praised in many AR events Vuforia SDK is a multiplatform and advance product of Qualcomm Austria Research Centre Gmbh.
DIOTASOFT: Diotasoft is company specialized in interactive technology and 3D graphics, virtual and augmented reality. This French company, started in 2009, is specialised in AR system dedicated to motion sensing.
Blippar– browser: Blippar is one of the first augmented reality browsers to use prints like magazines, newspapers posters, etc. Started in the UK in 2011 Blippar is rapidly growing in its popularity.
Adstuck – SDK ‘multiplatform’: Adstuck consulting an augmented reality company since 2008. Areal is a multiplatform SDK fromAdstuck. Areal’s unique UI and its powerful AR engine allows multifunctionality in designing and it also covers all round utilities of AR across all media. Very popular in promotional campaigns Adstuck have also extensively invested in developing, research and innovative AR hardware.
Aurasma: One of the freshest in the augmented reality platforms, Aurasma has quickly become the favourite app. Aurasma is downloadable for free.
Total Immersions: t-immersion is a augmented reality company since 1999. More popularly known products of t-immersion is patented as D’Fusion software solution and is an interactive 3D graphics generator in AR environments.
The best of AR companies are the ones who bring continuous innovation in the application of AR throughout different entertainment and communication mediums. The majority of these augmented reality companies (http://www.adstuck.com/augmented-reality) are competing to become the best in AR browser and SDK segment, also lately the new hardware like vuzix’s m-100 and Google’s Glasses can change the direction in the evolution of AR use. The business policies and management among these companies will determine the dominating factor in the race to become the top AR company. Like the tussle we have witnessed between Apple Co. and Samsung in the smartphone segment, may be it will give rise to an entire new dimension for applying AR in our life.
