ARCore

Category:Use dmy dates from May 2018

ARCore
DeveloperGoogle
Initial releaseFebruary 23, 2018; 8 years ago (2018-02-23)
Stable release
1.45.2420502[1] / August 14, 2024; 20 months ago (2024-08-14)
Operating systemAndroid
PlatformAndroid 7.0 and later
Websitedevelopers.google.com/ar/

ARCore, also known as Google Play Services for AR, is a software development kit developed by Google that allows for augmented reality (AR) applications to be built. ARCore has been certified for a number of devices,[2] but is software-locked on devices that did not complete the certification procedure. Spoofing the ID of a device that completed the procedure makes ARCore work on more devices.[3] Requirements for certification include the "quality of the camera, motion sensors [and] a powerful enough CPU that integrates with the hardware design". Devices must also ship with Google Play to qualify for placement on the list of supported devices.[2] New devices can be submitted through the Google AR OEM Portal.[4]

Key technologies

ARCore uses a few key technologies to integrate virtual content with the real world as seen through the camera of a smartphone or tablet.[5] Each of these technologies can be utilized by developers to create an AR experience.

Six degrees of freedom

Environmental understanding

  • Allows the phone to detect the size and location of flat surfaces - both vertical and horizontal - with feature points.
  • Geometric plane can be calculated based on detected feature points.
  • A scene semantics API is used to gather real-time semantic data about the user's surroundings and uses that data to identify objects and features in view.

Light estimation

  • Lighting Estimation API allows the phone to estimate the environment's current lighting conditions and display images accurately in relation to real-world lighting.
    • Lighting cues such as shadows and highlights are used to more immersively display virtual objects.[7]

Depth analysis

  • Utilizes the phone's camera to create depth maps, which enable the device to more accurately determine the amount of space between surfaces based on what is captured.[8]
    • In order to properly assess the real world, depth maps are created to measure the amount of space between objects or surfaces.
    • A depth-from-motion algorithm takes the motion data from the user's camera and utilizes it to create a more detailed depth map.[9]

Geospatial capabilities

  • This function's API uses GPS and allows creators to give users unique experiences based on their real-world location.[10]
    • Google's visual positioning system (VPS) is utilized for this process.
  • Matches the user's visual data with that of Google Maps to determine precise location.

See also

  • ARKit – Augmented reality API for Apple platforms
  • OpenXR – Standard for access to virtual reality and augmented reality platforms and devices

References

  1. ↑ "Google Play Services for AR APKs". APKMirror. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 "ARCore supported devices". Google Inc. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "ARCore/Google Play Services for AR on Fairphone 5". Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  4. ↑ "ARCore OEM device certification". Google Inc. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  5. ↑ Amadeo, Ron (29 August 2017). "Google's ARCore brings augmented reality to millions of Android devices". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Fundamental Concepts". ARCore. Google Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  7. ↑ "Get the Lighting Right". ARCore. Google Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Fundamental Concepts". ARCore. Google Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "Depth Adds Realism". ARCore. Google Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  10. ↑ "Build global-scale, immersive, location-based AR experiences with the ARCore Geospatial API". ARCore. Google Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
Category:Google software Category:Software development kits Category:Computer-related introductions in 2018 Category:3D imaging Category:Augmented reality
Category:3D imaging Category:Articles with short description Category:Augmented reality Category:Computer-related introductions in 2018 Category:Google software Category:Short description matches Wikidata Category:Software development kits Category:Use dmy dates from May 2018