The final cost for a mobile app is determined by the hourly rate charged and the development time taken.
The release of the software development kit (SDK) for Apple and Google was one of the key factors in the ability to create an AR app for all agencies. They changed the industry. Creating AR apps with the software development kit (SDK) is easy.
What's Augmented Reality (AR)?
Augmented reality (AR) is a digital representation of the physical world. It is delivered by technology and uses sound, visual elements, or other stimuli. This is becoming a popular trend in business and mobile computing.
With the increase in data collection and analysis, one of the primary goals of augmented reality is to highlight certain features of the physical environment, increase understanding, and derive smart, accessible insight that can be applied to real-world situations. These big data can inform companies' decision-making and provide insight into consumer spending habits.
How Augmented Reality Work?
Augmented reality is a technology that uses cameras to create an augmented world. This includes smartphones, tablets, and smart glasses with AR software. You can activate AR by simply pointing the device at a specific object. The software will analyze and detect the video stream using computer vision technology.
This 3 step guide will help you understand AR.
1. The gadget stores the user's environment with tools like a camera or sensors.
2. Software processes data to determine the location of AR objects.
3. After processing the data, the AR object is generated in real-time.
AR can also collect the following information from users and their mobile devices.
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Depth sensors
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Accelerometers
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Cameras
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Gyroscopes
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Light sensors
Types of AR
There are four most popular types of augmented reality: marker-based, marker-less, projection-based, and superimposition-based AR.
Marker-based AR
For marker-based AR (also known as "image recognition"), a marker is required - a photo, QR code, or something similar - to initiate the AR animation.
The device scans the marker using a camera to calculate the position of the overlay. Static markers allow users to inspect objects from different angles and move around.
Projection-based AR
As the name suggests, projection-based AR visualizes digital images in physical space. It displays visuals on surfaces using synthetic light.
It can be interactive. The most well-known example would be the projected digital keyboard, which allows users to type. It can also be non-interactive.
These can be viewed as a holograph, a light projection of objects that allows you to see their depth and position.
Marker-less AR
A marker-less augmented world does not require a marker to be at a fixed location in space.
The user's physical environment is used to determine the placement of the virtual object.
More advanced technology is required to detect and map surroundings accurately than marker-based AR (such as GPS or compasses). This is called "location-based AR" because it adds information based on a specific area.
Superimposition-based AR
Superimposition-based AR replaces a portion or the whole of a physical object in the view with an augmented one.
This is where object recognition plays a major role. The app must be capable of recognizing what object it should show.
This is used, for example, in medicine where doctors can view the X-rays vision.
The Benefits of Augmented Reality App Development
Simple Visualization: Offers immediate benefit to customers by making it easier for them to see an object in its proper context.
Personal Content: Users have the option to see the object in a customized setting by changing the characteristics.
Increase brand awareness: An AR app's innovative approach will improve your business's visibility and enhance your brand image.
A Better Understanding: Customers can gain additional insights through augmented reality applications.
Unique User Experience An AR app can improve user reality experience and provide a better product view.
Customer Retention - Customers view it as an exciting chance to have an interactive experience with digital content and thus make them return.
AR Impact On Different Industries
Retail
An AR app in retail can give you an entirely new shopping experience, online or offline. AR within a store or by simply pointing your phone in the direction of the store will give you an insider's view of the brand. Online shopping is possible with virtual trial rooms that allow users to choose the right size and color. This can make shopping easier and more enjoyable while reducing return rates.
Real Estate
With reality apps growing in popularity, more people use the internet to sell or buy houses. An augmented reality app has many benefits for the real estate market. Customers can experience the house firsthand without ever visiting it. This allows them to filter properties and choose which ones they want to visit. This saves both the clients and agents a lot of time.
Manufacturing
Although it may seem surprising, an AR app can be very useful in manufacturing. An AR app can speed up any building process. AR markers on the equipment can also be used to track workers' progress. The app can show which piece of equipment will fit in the structure by simply pointing the app in its direction.
Tourism and Travel
Tourists visiting new places can make their travel experience even more enjoyable with location-based AR apps. A GPS feature and an AR app can be combined to provide directions, street sign translations, and additional information while sightseeing. This is particularly useful for museums where users can access detailed information about the exhibits. Augmented reality apps are a great way to attract tourists because you can navigate new places and explore them independently.
Military
Augmented reality can also be used in business to reshape the military sector. AR technology has disrupted this one of the most important industries.
AR technology in the military is helping soldiers prepare for battle, eliminate bombs and other explosive elements, improve their skill at using different weapons, etc., without putting their lives in danger. It provides navigation services that are more accurate in the dark and adds labels to real-world scenarios. Remote maintenance is also possible with the technology.
Other sectors where AR apps can be used are education, immersive game development, the entertainment industry, and more.
Is it worth investing in Augmented Reality Development?
If you're a business owner, this question should be answered.
Statista reports that mobile AR users have been steadily increasing since 2019, according to Statista.
The number of users in 2019 was 0.44 billion. This figure is expected to rise by 1.73 Billion in 2024.
These numbers demonstrate the strong growth of mobile Augmented reality.
The question is how much augmented reality app development costs. It is a matter of precision and quality. We did extensive research to answer your questions and created this guide.
How much does Augmented Reality App Development Cost?
Before an AR app can be developed, there is a project flow that needs to understand first. After that, we will be discussing Augmented Reality pricing.
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Scope of Work - Development starts with knowing the client's complete plan, budget, goals, deliverables, and costs.
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Timeframe - The more time it takes to finish a project, the higher it will cost. Even if the deadline is shorter, costs can rise.
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Teamwork - A developer's experience and geolocation will determine the success of a project.
Estimated AR Development Cost
These are the key components to consider when developing an AR app.
Programming and Coding
AR development requires a dedicated effort by a team to integrate multiple programming features into an application. This can be costly. Average AR programming and coding costs range from $37,000 to $90,000.
Design
An example of this is the Angry Birds app. It has a variety of designs and bold colors. They also have some digital art on their menu pages. The price of a logo can be increased by using a different color scheme for each feature. Every page, such as the sign-in, checkout, main menu, and others, needs a design with added typography to complete it. The cost of designing can range from $30,000 to $40,000.
Testing
Testing an AR takes more time because you need to ensure that it works properly and meets your expectations. Sometimes, the code could be mistyped or forgotten, which can cause an app not to work properly. If there are more errors than anticipated, this can cause delays and increase costs for fixing codes and features. The cost of testing can range from $12,000 to $18,000.
Basic MVP
MVP is the Minimal Viable Product. This allows you to evaluate the best features of the demo before you invest in the app and sell it to customers. AR allows you to present a demo with clients in a more interactive way than using slides. An MVP comes with all the features and code, so it is less expensive.
Customized MVP
A logo is needed to brand an app with more customization and features. A car design app, for example, offers a range of options and categories to allow customers to choose the model that looks best in real-time and which color. These apps are more expensive because they require a higher hourly rate to create features like sign-in, checkout from the cart, sharing, catalog integration, API integration, and back-end development.
Enterprise MVP
Augmented reality can enhance staff training, present knowledge, or interact with products and work environments. AR apps can also help people shop for groceries by providing stock locations, recommendations on food products, reminders to replenish grocery stores, nutrition information, and setting reminders. These functions require more sophisticated technology and a different approach to programming, which increases the time and costs involved.
Software Development Kit
An SDK (or Software Development Kit) is a tool that allows developers to create applications and then have them installed on a particular hardware platform like an iPhone or Android device. SDK is a time-saving tool that reduces programming costs. It also creates facets for AR apps because it supplies the hardware with the necessary information.
International App Development rates
App rates vary depending on where the developers are located, how predictable the app is, and the complexity and challenges encountered during development. The rates for countries like Ukraine and Europe are lower than those in the United States.
We can now understand the technical factors that could cause AR apps to be more expensive or less costly.
Other Factors That Impact the Cost of AR/VR App Development
Business AnalysisAnalysts will first determine the business requirements to develop an AR app. The business team will analyze data from different sources to determine the functionalities required to create attractive AR apps. Typically, analysts spend 60 hours during the discovery phase.
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AR Application Design
After completing the business analysis, designers will create UX and UI based on end-users needs. Designers need to create animated images and 3D graphic models in order to make AR apps easy and intuitive. Design is now a significant time-consuming phase of the development process. It can take up to 1/4 of the time.
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Architecture Planning
Software architecture planning costs can vary depending on the app type and features. The AR App Development Cost Estimate considers software architecture planning an integral part of the development process. It takes 25-40 hours to create AR apps. The time required to build the AR app architecture will increase with increasing complexity.
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Project Management
It is crucial that all members of the development team work together. This phase establishes priorities and assigns tasks according to the timeframe. The team also reviews the development progress to identify areas that need improvement.
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Platform & Complexity
The complexity of the interface is one factor that influences the cost of augmented reality apps. These apps are different from other apps in terms of their interface. AR app development can be difficult because of the many factors involved. It is important to test the app on different screen sizes and resolutions in order to improve the customer experience.
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App Features
Integration of app features can impact the cost of augmented reality development. The development of an AR kit that includes basic features and object manipulation (scale move & rotate) takes 150-170 hours. While the addition of a primary admin panel takes between 20-30 hours and 40-60 hours to develop, the development of the backend takes around 60 hours. Depending on how many functionalities are implemented, additional features may increase the AR app development costs.
Although it is impossible to determine the exact AR app costs, you can review these factors that impact the AR app's cost. Prices for AR app development vary depending on what features you require, which platform you use, and who you hire. You can make a smart decision about your next AR project by choosing the mobile app development company that will help you achieve your business goals more quickly.
In addition to the above factors, the location of the outsourced reality app development company can also impact the app's development cost.
Augmented Reality Services Integration in Your Business
Here are some tips that will help you find out whether your business needs to integrate augmented reality services.
Market research
It is important to dig deeper into your market and learn about the potential of technology rather than just believing the hype. You should invest in the augmented reality market and competitive analysis to find out what AR can be used for, how it will impact your business, and how this technology has changed its image.
Find out how to solve internal business problems.
It is important to be able to see how AR can make a profit for others while also understanding the limitations of your business processes. This means examining the various segments of your company and inviting the teams to join you in order to understand the challenges they face.
Hiring an AR App Expert
After evaluating the potential problems and outcomes of AR integration in business, it is time to choose the right AR/VR/ Mixed reality application development company.
CIS: How Can We Help You?
CIS is a well-known AR/VR app development company with a team that includes experienced AR app developers. We provide Augmented and Virtual Reality Solutions according to the industry needs of our clients. We have a wealth of experience in AR/VR solutions and can deliver exceptional graphics and content. AR/VR solutions combine cutting-edge technology with ease of use.
CIS is a leader in the market, offering top-of-the-line augmented reality services for businesses of different industry niches. We can meet all your specific requirements when planning your strategy. Our unmatched AR/VR solutions can bring your environment to life.
Have questions? Do you have a project that you would like to discuss?
Contact us to meet with a member of our team today.
