The AREA Algorithm Framework Enabling Location-based Mobile Augmented Reality Applications

The dramatically increased computational capabilities of mobile devices have leveraged the opportunities for mobile application engineers. Respective scenarios, in which these opportunities can be exploited, emerge almost per day. In this context, mobile augmented reality applications play an important role in many business scenarios. In the automotive domain, they are mainly used
to provide car customers with new experiences. For example, customers can use their own mobile device to experience the interior of a car by moving the mobile device around. The device’s camera then detects interior parts and shows additional information to the customer within the camera view. Although the computational capabilities have been increased, the realization of such mobile augmented reality applications is still a complex endeavor. In particular, the different mobile operating systems and their peculiarities must be carefully considered. In the AREA (Augmented Reality Engine Application) project, a powerful kernel was realized that enables location-based mobile augmented reality applications. This kernel, in turn, mainly focuses on robustness and performance. In addition, it provides a flexible architecture that fosters the development of individual location-based mobile augmented reality applications. As many aspects have to be considered to implement individual applications based on top of AREA, this paper provides the first comprehensive overview of the entire algorithm framework. Moreover, a recently realized algorithm and new features will be presented. To demonstrate the applicability of the kernel, its features are applied in the context of various mobile applications. As the major lesson learned, powerful mobile augmented reality applications can be efficiently run on present mobile operating systems and be effectively realized by engineers using AREA. We consider such mobile frameworks as being crucial to provide more generic concepts that are able to abstract from the peculiarities of the underlying mobile operating system and to support mobile application developers more properly.