WebAR is an acronym for Web-based Augmented Reality which provides Augmented Reality experience through a web browser instead of an app. By using this webAR one can navigate to the webpage without downloading the app just by having a smartphone or a tablet and internet connection. It is a completely app-less Augmented Reality. WebAR has started making its position not only in the field of technology but marketing as well. It has become an exciting platform to showcase creativity and become more reactive to the technology that was restrictive before.

FEATURES

For now, WebAR does not allow a vast selection of the main features used in augmented reality apps. But a few can be listed as:

• Simple Animations

• Video with limited interactivity

• Image target detection for triggering experiences

HOW TO BUILD WEBAR

It is a web application and is supported by the platforms that are the same as normal web development platforms such as AR.js and A-Frame

• AR.js is a JavaScript library that allows developers to introduce AR features and functionality to any website using a few lines of HTML. The project is open-source and with nearly 13,000 stars on the AR.js GitHub repository, it’s being used by developers of all kinds to create more innovative digital experiences.

• A-Frame that allows creating 3D assets and environments just by using a web framework that looks alike to HTML, this application is supported by 8th Wall and is the leading SLAM tracking SDK for WebAR in the market.

ADVANTAGES

The basic advantage of WebAR is that downloading of apps is not required. One simply needs a good internet connection and a smartphone to access. Downloading apps takes more space and memory in smartphones but now with the WebAR one does not need to do so. The features on a webpage are not exactly what it looks like in an app but the work can be done easily yielding satisfying results.

References:

• GitHub

• Google-Codelabs