10 Popular Augmented Reality APIs

Augmented Reality (AR) is technology that combines real world spaces or objects with virtual spaces or objects. The practice of interlaying virtual information over real world images has the potential to greatly enhance and improve lives, whether it be helping a consumer find better deals or helping a blind person navigate a building.

AR is used in several industries including gaming, tourism, mapping, marketing, retail, messaging (avatars), films and TV, medical training, engineering (design & modeling), military training, business logistics, business customer support,education and public safety. Developers wanting to create applications enhanced with AR for those industries will need suitable Augmented Reality APIs.

What is an Augmented Reality API?

An Augmented Reality API is an Application Programming Interface that developers can utilize to interact with AR services and add them to their own applications.

The best place to find these APIs is in the Augmented Reality category of the ProgrammableWeb API directory. In this article, details are provided for the ten most popular APIs from that category, based on the number of web page visits.

1. Oculus API

The Oculus APITrack this API provide everything necessary for developers to create virtual reality games and applications in conjunction with the Oculus Rift headset. This Standup API and subsequent SDK’s show developers how to install and configure the Oculus Rift, how to create games using game engines, and how to create ‘immersive audio’ to supplement virtual reality games.

2. Decentraland API

Decentraland is a Decentralized VR Platform service in which users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications. This APITrack this API allows users to retrieve Decentraland LAND data for contributions, districts, estates, mortgages and more. Decentraland uses the Ethereum Blockchain to record the ownership of the digital assets and other tradable items that can be read and reacted to by a 3D scene.

3. Navvis API

NavVis is an indoor mapping and indoor navigation service. The NavVis REST APITrack this API allows developers to access data from NavVis such as measurements, point of interest, users, site model and more.

Here is Kansas City Union Station captured with NavVis VLX technology. Video: NavVis

4. Munzee API

Munzee is a scavenger hunt game played via a mobile application while a user is out in the real world. The Munzee APITrack this API offers data about the game to create new applications. The API provides methods to manage players, maps, clans, leaderboards, capture, and lists.

5. Twilio DataTrack API

Twilio provides cloud services for building messaging, voice and video capabilities directly into applications. Twilio DataTrack APITrack this API is part of Twilio’s Programmable Video platform and can enable multi-user augmented reality (AR) applications. The DataTrack API allows developers to create a DataTrack channel for sending low latency messages to zero or more receivers subscribed to the data. This allows for building collaboration features like whiteboarding, screen annotations, shared augmented reality apps and more.

6. SketchFab Download API

SketchFab provides services that enable developers with the ability to publish, share and discover 3D content for web, mobile, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR). The SketchFab Download APITrack this API allows developers to download 3D models from Sketchfab. It is a REST-like API that provides a way to download a Library of over 150,000 free models, licensed under Creative Commons in glTF format.

SketchFab offers 3D models for sale; these are the current best sellers. Screenshot: SketchFab

7. WebXR Device API

The Immersive Web Community Group provides a repository for the WebXR Device APITrack this API Specification on GitHub. The WebXR Device API offers access to input and output capabilities that are associated with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) hardware headsets. The specification provides interfaces that allow developers to create Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality experiences on a web site, VR headset or AR enabled phone.

8. Qualisys API

Qualisys is a provider of motion capture technology for clinical use, virtual reality, and animation. Qualisys’ motion capture cameras are able to calculate marker positions and record calibrated high-speed, high-resolution video. Developers can integrate third-party devices such as Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), force plates, EMGs and eye trackers with Qualisys APITrack this API — accessible indirectly via .NET, Unity, C++ and Python SDKs.

9. AcceleratXR API

AcceleratXR is an online gaming platform that features Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR). The AcceleratXR Core SDK is used by game clients and applications to access AcceleratXR services. This APITrack this API is accessible indirectly from SDKs in various programming languages.

10. Banuba Face AR API

Banuba API integrates immersive and engaging AR experiences with applications. This platform supports face filters, face beautification, face tracking, virtual makeover, lenses, 3D masks, and video editing. Banuba is optimized for low-end devices. The API is accessible via Unity, JavaScript, Android and iOS SDKs.

Check out the Augmented Reality category for more APIs, SDKs, and other developer resources.