Qualcomm introduced the Vuforia Software Development Kit (SDK) for Digital Eyewear, a solution for developers who want to create augmented reality applications for smart glasses and head mounted displays (HMDs). This SDK will be made available as a beta this Fall for a select number of developers.
Qualcomm reports that its Vuforia platform takes advantage of Snapdragon processors to reduce the "motion-to-photon" latency. This helps deliver a believable, "authentic" augmented reality experience. However, the company indicates that the SDK can be used with other processors, such as the OMAP line from Texas Instruments.
"The new Vuforia Software Development Kit (SDK) for Digital Eyewear will deliver a major advance in user experience – allowing interactive 3D content to be visually aligned with the underlying world," the press release said. "This capability will enable new applications in hybrid VR/AR gaming, shopping, and education, as well as across a wide range of enterprise and industrial uses."
The SDK will work with a number of digital eyewear devices including the ODG R-7, which was revealed on Thursday. This device (pdf) features a one-piece design and sports a stereoscopic see-through display system, wireless connectivity and the Snapdragon 805 processor.
The Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses, which have a two-piece design but is based on the OMAP 4460 from Texas Instruments, are also compatible. The SDK also works with Samsung's Gear VR Innovator Edition.
Qualcomm reports that developers will be able to use the SDK to add augmented reality experiences within VR applications. The SDK can also be used for creating AR applications for education, gaming and more.
"Qualcomm Vuforia mobile vision platform for Android and iOS enables your app to see images from a Vuforia target database on the device or in the cloud," the product page said. "When a target is recognized, your app generates augmented reality experiences, unlocks new functionality and content, or unleashes a range of immersive digital experiences."
Currently, the Vuforio platform can "see" pictures, toys, user-defined images, cylinders (bottles, cans, etc.), text, simple boxes and frame markers. Other features include Smart Terrain, which will reconstruct a terrain in real-time around a specific object; and Extended Tracking, which delivers a continuous visual experience even when the target is out of view.
Developers wanting to get their hands on the beta SDK can do so right here. Additional information about the SDK can be found in the video below.
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