Wikitude
Encyclopedia
Wikitude is a mobile augmented reality
software which was developed by the Austrian developer company Wikitude GmbH (formerly Mobilizy GmbH) and published in October 2008 as freeware
. It displays information about the users' surroundings in a mobile camera view. Wikitude was the first public available application that used a location-based
approach to Augmented Reality.
Augmented Reality
the position of objects on the screen of the mobile device is calculated using the user's position (by GPS or Wifi
), the direction in which the user is facing (by using the compass
) and accelerometer
. In contrast, in marker-based Augmented Reality
a marker (marker, e.g. QR code
) is used for tracking
.
The location-based Augmented Reality view provides a direct view of reality "enhanced" with additional, computer-generated content, as opposed to a conventional map, which provides an abstract view from above.
The central element in the Wikitude World Browser is the location
. Compared to regular web pages, where the location of the user plays a minor role, Wikitude World Browser is optimized for mobile location-based usage.
. Content can be added by a webinterface, by KML
, and ARML. In addition, Web services are available to register the delivery of dynamic data
. Wikitude is W3C member and OGC
member and is working to develop ARML further as part of a W3C ARML project.
and motion sensor inaccuracies used to calculate the position of the virtual objects could multiply and may not be accurate enough to deliver a feasible result. In practice, this technique proves to be much simpler to implement than using the marker-based approach. In a current listing of the Top 5 AR Apps from The Telegraph
, 3 mobile applications use the location-based approach (Google Goggles
used both approaches).
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
software which was developed by the Austrian developer company Wikitude GmbH (formerly Mobilizy GmbH) and published in October 2008 as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
. It displays information about the users' surroundings in a mobile camera view. Wikitude was the first public available application that used a location-based
Location-based service
A Location-Based Service is an information or entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device....
approach to Augmented Reality.
How it works
For location-basedLocation-based service
A Location-Based Service is an information or entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device....
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
the position of objects on the screen of the mobile device is calculated using the user's position (by GPS or Wifi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
), the direction in which the user is facing (by using the compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
) and accelerometer
Accelerometer
An accelerometer is a device that measures proper acceleration, also called the four-acceleration. This is not necessarily the same as the coordinate acceleration , but is rather the type of acceleration associated with the phenomenon of weight experienced by a test mass that resides in the frame...
. In contrast, in marker-based Augmented Reality
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
a marker (marker, e.g. QR code
QR code
A QR code is a type of matrix barcode first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and comparatively large storage capacity. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white...
) is used for tracking
Optical motion tracking
Motion Tracking can differ from Motion Capture because in applications such as sports and missiles the object of interest is tracked optically instead of a person...
.
The location-based Augmented Reality view provides a direct view of reality "enhanced" with additional, computer-generated content, as opposed to a conventional map, which provides an abstract view from above.
The central element in the Wikitude World Browser is the location
Location-based service
A Location-Based Service is an information or entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device....
. Compared to regular web pages, where the location of the user plays a minor role, Wikitude World Browser is optimized for mobile location-based usage.
User Generated Content
Content in the Wikitude World Browser is mostly user generatedUser-generated content
User generated content covers a range of media content available in a range of modern communications technologies. It entered mainstream usage during 2005 having arisen in web publishing and new media content production circles...
. Content can be added by a webinterface, by KML
KML
KML or kml may refer to:* Kamileroi Airport , Queensland, Australia* Keyhole Markup Language, an XML geospatial data file format...
, and ARML. In addition, Web services are available to register the delivery of dynamic data
Dynamic data
Dynamic data or transactional data denotes information that is asynchronously changed as further updates to the information become available....
. Wikitude is W3C member and OGC
Open Geospatial Consortium
The Open Geospatial Consortium , an international voluntary consensus standards organization, originated in 1994. In the OGC, more than 400 commercial, governmental, nonprofit and research organizations worldwide collaborate in a consensus process encouraging development and implementation of open...
member and is working to develop ARML further as part of a W3C ARML project.
Discussion
There are differing opinions regarding the question as to whether the location-based approach of Augmented Reality pioneered by Wikitude can be considered as “augmented reality”. The main criticism is regarding the accuracy of the markers as any GPS, compassCompass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
and motion sensor inaccuracies used to calculate the position of the virtual objects could multiply and may not be accurate enough to deliver a feasible result. In practice, this technique proves to be much simpler to implement than using the marker-based approach. In a current listing of the Top 5 AR Apps from The Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, 3 mobile applications use the location-based approach (Google Goggles
Google Goggles
Google Goggles is a downloadable image recognition application created by Google Inc. which can be currently found on the Mobile Apps page of Google Mobile. It is used for searches based on pictures taken by handheld devices...
used both approaches).
Awards
- 2011: European Tech Tour - Top 25 Selected Companies
- 2010: Best Augmented Reality Browser, Augmented Planet ; World Summit Award ; Galileo Master 2010 at European Satellite Navigation Competition ; Global Champion at Navteq Challenge 2010 ; Hagenberg Award ; Grand Prize Winner Navteq Challenge 2010 (EMEA Region)
- 2009: Best Augmented Reality Browser, Augmented Planet ; GSMA Mobile Innovation 2009 Global Competition EMEA "Top Innovator"; Salzburger Wirtschaftspreis
- 2008: Android Developer ChallengeAndroid Developer ChallengeThe Android Developer Challenge was launched by Google in 2008, with the aim of providing awards for high-quality mobile applications built on the Android platform. In November 2009, the winners of Android Developers Challenge II were selected after two rounds of scoring by thousands of Android...
Top-50 Award
Similar Applications
External Links
- The Telegraph (2009): Augmented reality: a technology whose time has come
- The Economist (2009): Reality, improved
- The New York Times (2009): Augmented Reality Browser War Heats Up With Wikitude’s Latest Version
- Wall Street Journal (2009): The Best Android Apps of 2009
- The Economist (2010): A special report on smart systems - Augmented business
- The New York Times (2011): BlackBerry Brings Augmented Reality Mainstream, Preloads Wikitude On New Phones
- CNN Tavel (2011): 10 top augmented reality travel apps
- The Telegraph (2011): Top 5 augmented reality applications