Positioned relative to surfaces, objects, locations, or user viewpoint

Can appear to “stick” to walls, tables, faces, or streets

Users move around and see content from different angles

Content responds to gestures, touch, voice, or device movement

Content updates continuously as camera/device/user moves

Low latency required for stable, believable overlays

Camera captures the scene

Motion sensors measure orientation and movement

Depth sensing (when available)

Location inputs (for outdoor AR)

Tracking (estimating device pose)

Mapping (building a model of the environment)

Recognition (optional, for targeted overlays)

Generating digital content (2D/3D)

Aligning content with world coordinates

Lighting and shading approximation

Occlusion handling (advanced)

On a screen (video see-through)

Through optical waveguides (optical see-through headsets)

With audio/haptic cues as supplementary augmentation

Uses a visual target (image, QR code) to trigger/anchor content

Common in packaging, posters, museums

Uses plane detection and spatial tracking without explicit markers

Common in home design previews and games

Anchors content to geographic coordinates

Used in navigation, tourism, outdoor games

Effects follow facial landmarks or body joints

Used in social media and virtual try-on

Projects digital imagery onto physical surfaces

Used in industrial guidance and interactive exhibits

AR adds to the real world; surroundings remain visible

VR replaces the real world with a fully virtual environment

AR overlays content; interaction may be limited

MR integrates more deeply (consistent occlusion + interaction with real objects)

HUD shows info often not spatially anchored

AR is typically spatially registered to the environment

Most accessible AR via camera view + screen overlay

Platforms: ARKit (iOS), ARCore (Android)

Optical see-through or video see-through

Hands-free overlays (limited today by cost/comfort)

Delivered through mobile browsers

Lower friction, often fewer advanced capabilities

Labels, instructions, measurements, navigation arrows

Product models, characters, architectural previews

Face filters, stylized lighting, particle effects

Spatial sound cues, guided tours, alerts

Vibrations for confirmations or proximity cues

Tap to place/select, pinch to scale, drag to move

Grab, point, pinch gestures

Hands-free control for navigation and productivity

Select via look + confirm gesture/voice

Visualize hidden information (e.g., wiring behind walls)

Step-by-step guidance over equipment

Try-before-you-buy visualization

Real-time operational data overlays

Interactive learning and entertainment

Hands-free instructions, remote expert assistance

Interactive anatomy, historical reconstructions, equipment training

Virtual try-on, furniture placement in rooms

AR arrows and points of interest

Maintenance overlays, assembly guidance, inspection checklists

Surgical planning visualization, patient education, rehabilitation support

AR campaigns, games, live event enhancements

Overlay designs on-site, stage spaces virtually

Content may “swim” or shift when tracking degrades

Hard to match real lighting and shadows

Realistic blocking needs accurate depth maps

Digital content appears in a limited window

Real-time CV + rendering are intensive

Low light, reflective surfaces, featureless walls reduce accuracy

Potential capture of bystanders and private spaces

Persistent place-tied anchors can reveal sensitive patterns

Distraction while walking/driving; situational awareness issues

Misleading overlays; need trust and verification