AR has existed long enough for standardized frameworks to appear. Their emergence has prompted some intriguing questions. Could they set the development course on a singular path? Will they permanently shape this field’s future?

The Importance of Standardized AR Frameworks

An AR framework is a collection of libraries, resources and tools for creating AR-based content, apps or software. Many provide features like rendering, spatial mapping, audio, physics, and application programming interface (API) integrations. You can think of them as all-in-one development kits for native, web, or hybrid projects.

If you’ve ever attempted to create an AR app, you know how meticulous it is. Even with fully moveable, rotatable, and scalable augmented design elements, you still need to consider recognition systems, API integration, engagement features, notifications, and sound effects.

Factors like feature quantity, logic complexity, and platform availability can further affect your development timeline. However, whether you spend around 160-176 hours developing a marker-based app or pour up to 1,000 hours on simultaneous localization and mapping, the process will be drawn out and complicated.

This complexity is why standardized frameworks are so important for driving AR technology’s penetration rate. They are vital for accelerating integrations, improving scalability, and enhancing optimization. Without them, many upcoming projects would probably never get off of the ground.

While assistance like the federal research and development tax credit — a dollar-for-dollar tax liability reduction for up to $500,000 as of 2024 — can make development easier early on when you lack capital, it only solves your financial issues. Standardized frameworks are one of the few versatile, widely applicable solutions.

Another reason standardization is so important involves centralization. When you converge with others in forums, discussion boards, or support communities, you can catalog issues, document fixes, list tips or provide encouragement in one place. This passive recordkeeping makes finding resources and guides easier, helping you overcome obstacles much faster.

How AR Frameworks Simplify Development

Although most projections for the AR and VR market seem promising — estimates place it at $294 billion in 2024, a nearly tenfold increase from its $30.7 billion market size in 2021 — a few obstacles are slowing progress. Namely: cost, a lack of technical knowledge, lengthy development timelines, legal risks, and a lack of standards.

Most AR frameworks provide APIs, resources, and libraries free for personal or commercial use, lowering project costs substantially and eliminating much of the legal gray area. Many also offer low-code or no-code tools so you can create complex apps or software even if you’re not technically savvy, facilitating easier development.

While some AR frameworks cost money — either a one-time fee or a subscription — many offer free tiers, are open source, or are free if you have a developer account. If you’re exceptionally knowledgeable, you could try your hand at developing your own for a specific use case or application.

Even if you have no interest in development, these frameworks still help those who do, making it easier for you to find third-party solutions. Advantages like easier cross-platform compatibility and simplified copyright rules will ultimately make it easier for businesses to implement AR technologies, regardless of their industry.

The AR Frameworks Driving Multi-Industry Adoption

Apple’s ARKit and Google’s ARCore are two of the main frameworks driving adoption. Since they head the App Store and the Play Store — and are tech giants with a ton of sway —  their contribution has been a huge help in setting development standards. If you ever plan to release an AR project on iOS or Android, these resources will be vital.

You can probably see where these companies’ involvement is going. Since they run the largest mobile app stores in the world, their collections of libraries, tools, guidance and resources stand to shape the future landscape of AR development. Of course, they aren’t the only ones with skin in the game.

Unreal Engine’s framework is one of the most prominent available. This game engine has progressed through over 20 years of development to the point where it now offers real-time, photorealistic rendering and a visual scripting system for no-code logic building. Even if you’ve never used its AR resources, you’re probably aware of its impressive history.

Since Unreal Engine is owned by United-States-based video game and software brand Epic Games, its involvement in AR frameworks has interesting implications. For one, it could help this technology break into other industries.

Currently, consumer electronics makes up 32% of the market share by revenue, with gaming sitting at under 5%. Considering even sectors like manufacturing, service and e-commerce are struggling to break 10%, there is potential for solutions like Unreal Engine’s framework to disrupt the status quo with standardization.

Of course, the honorable mention goes to free or open-source frameworks like EasyAR and ARToolKit. The tech giants’ involvement has prompted innovation from smaller creators. While competition may seem antithetical to standardization, it is a good thing — it discourages those on top from abandoning their projects or making their resources less accessible.

How AR Frameworks Will Affect AR’s Future

If AR development becomes standardized, development timelines and costs will probably shrink. Also, it will be much easier to integrate APIs, make software cross-compatible, and create additional features. In time, these all-in-one development kits could evolve into out-of-the-box, no-code solutions where you can develop apps at the touch of a few buttons.

Devin Partida is Editor-in-Chief at ReHack Magazine and editorial contributor at AR Insider. See her work here and follow her @rehackmagazine.

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