Wikitude SDK 8.7 is out! This update adds some pretty impressive performance enhancements and a few new features you can’t miss
Every 6 weeks Wikitude runs an effective AR SDK maintenance and quality assurance program to ensure our developers always have access to a high-performing AR platform. Here’s what’s new for our latest:
Increased Image Tracking detection range (+50%)
Faster camera frame processing and stability enhancements
Preparation to support Apple’s iOS 13
External camera support for Windows in Unity Editor
Faster camera frame processing and increased image tracking detection range (+50%)
The Wikitude AR technology development teams work closely together with our quality assurance unit to programmatically test, tweak, and optimize our AR platform. With every update, our customers can expect high performance and general enhancements.
SDK 8.7 improves the detection range of image targets across devices by 50%. A4-sized image targets can reach impressive recognition distances in the area of 4.7 meters (15.42 feet).
Additionally, internal changes in the processing pipeline of Wikitude SDK 8.7 resulted in faster camera frame access for all related components and includes a series of additional fixes and stability improvements. Please review the release notes for your platform for an in-depth report.
iOS 13 Preparations
At the Worldwide Developers Conference held in June, Apple announced its new iOS 13 mobile operating system. Even though iOS 13 is scheduled to be officially released in the fall of 2019, Wikitude has already started optimizing its AR SDK.
People occlusion, motion capture, and collaborative sessions are some of the much-awaited ARKit 3 features which you will be able to enjoy. Stay tuned to future Wikitude updates to get the latest and greatest AR for Apple’s iOS 13!
External camera support for Windows in Unity Editor
Designed to facilitate UWP app development in Unity, this new feature allows developers to plug-in an external web camera into any UWP-based tablet and use its camera stream in the Wikitude SDK.
The additional camera view helps developers to have a realistic idea of how the AR project is progressing from another perspective in Unity, hassle-free.
Get started with SDK 8.7 for your preferred development platform:
Interested in creating an AR project of your own? Access our store to choose your package or contact our team to discuss your specific AR requirements in detail.
After another productive product improvement cycle, the Wikitude team is excited to present SDK version 8.6. The update includes our powerful – now product ready – HoloLens AR package, introduces support for Flutter, adds Geo-AR for Unity users, and offers further performance enhancements.
Wikitude SDK 8.6 at a glance:
Wikitude SDK for Hololens – production version
Flutter Plugin – release candidate
Geo AR for Unity Plugin (by PendAR)
Performance and stability enhancements
Wikitude SDK for HoloLens – Production Version
The Wikitude augmented reality SDK for Microsoft HoloLens 1 is Unity based, comes with a Holographic UI sample app, and is now available in production version.
The response has been very positive. And we have also received valuable feedback which enabled us to improve the platform even further, resulting in a powerful production-ready HoloLens AR SDK.
With Wikitude SDK 8.6, companies can now purchase and download our augmented reality package for Microsoft HoloLens 1 to create high-performing AR solutions.
New Image Recognition samples for Wikitude AR SDK for HoloLens
Make sure to check out the new Image Target samples to review the performance of the Wikitude SDK for HoloLens.
Additionally, you may access our Wikitude HoloLens Documentation section for further details, instructions, and information.
Augmented Reality for Flutter – Release Candidate Plugin
Wikitude SDK 8.6 is the first AR platform to provide official support for Flutter.
Flutter is an open-source mobile application UI development framework toolkit created by Google. It is used to develop natively-compiled applications for iOS and Android from a single codebase.
Wikitude developers can now work with Wikitude SDK 8.6 to add augmented reality technology to their projects created in Flutter. The Flutter Plugin is based on JavaScript API and comes with the full package: Wikitude AR library/framework, sample apps, and documentation.
Flutter AR Plugin: Feedback Welcomed
As this is a release candidate, we are eager to receive as much developer feedback as possible. When trying the flutter AR plugin, feel free to send us an email (info@wikitude.com) to share what you liked about the development experience and, most importantly, what you think could be improved. Every email received will be highly appreciated and taken into consideration in the improvement process.
Location-based augmented reality is a big hit among the augmented reality community. Starting with Wikitude SDK 8.6, and thanks to PendAR – augmented reality partner of Wikitude, developers can now use LBAR to create Geo-AR experiences in no time in Unity3D.
LBAR offers a very simple workflow for location-based applications. It can be integrated with other apps in Unity3D, and there will be no need to put effort into geo calculations. LBAR also offers a simple and easy-to-use radar so users can have a better understanding of their surroundings.
With every new Wikitude SDK release, our quality assurance team takes the opportunity to review and optimize the platform to ensure all AR features, classic and new, are performing as they should be, enhancing stability whenever possible.
Wikitude SDK 8.6 includes a series of fixes and stability improvements. Please review the release notes for your platform for an in-depth report.
Interested in creating an AR project of your own? Access our store to choose your package or contact our team to discuss your specific AR requirements in detail.
Expand the capability of HoloLens with the Wikitude AR SDK: attach digital AR content to images, objects, barcodes, QR codes, and personalized targets with fast, scalable and reliable AR recognition solutions.
More and more industries are investing in mixed reality headset devices to optimize their operational efficiency.
With this in mind, Wikitude has optimized its augmented reality SDK to support and complement one of the leading mixed reality headset devices on the market: Microsoft HoloLens 1.
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens is an immersive, ergonomic, instinctual, and untethered mixed reality headset device that enables valuable hands-free industry-leading solutions.
An essential part of what makes said solutions efficient, flexible and personalizable is augmented reality technology.
That is why the Microsoft HoloLens 1 mixed reality device offers out-of-the-box augmented reality functionality:
Native AR Functionality in Microsoft HoloLens 1
Positional Tracking/Instant Tracking
Scene Reconstruction/Plane Detection
Cloud/Persistent Anchors
Stereoscopic Rendering
Calibration
As valuable as these out-of-the-box HoloLens AR functions are, they do not cover a broad spectrum of augmented reality solutions and do not enable image or object recognition and tracking. That is where the Wikitude SDK steps in.
The Wikitude AR SDK has been optimized to support and complement HoloLens 1 by enabling developers to implement additional augmented reality features into their projects.
Wikitude Augmented Reality Functionality on Hololens 1
Image/Multiple Image Recognition Attach digital content to images and any trackable 2D surface
Object Recognition Attach digital content to physical Objects
Cloud Recognition Fast, scalable and reliable online recognition solution for big projects
Plugins API (Barcode and QR code samples) Attach digital content to basically anything with personalized targets
This means, when working with the Wikitude AR SDK for HoloLens, industries can go beyond and attach digital AR content to images, objects, barcodes, QR codes, and personalized targets.
Wikitude AR + HoloLens = Personalized Workforce Solutions
Incorporate Wikitude AR technology in HoloLens to optimize: training, quality management, communication, assembly, maintenance, repair, safety, inspections, communication, product identification, and more.
With applications ranging from digitally augmented step-by-step instruction guides to compliance checklists, to product identification, to instant collaboration, many are the proven benefits of hands-free AR:
Reduce: human errors, execution time, breakdowns, downtime, cost
When implementing and investing in projects of this nature, it is essential to choose and work with partners you can trust. Wikitude has not only been developing and providing augmented reality technology since 2008 but has proudly become the world’s leading independent AR platform provider along the way.
Download Wikitude SDK for HoloLens 1: Release Candidate
Sample Application – Wikitude SDK for HoloLens 1
The Wikitude augmented reality software development kit for Microsoft HoloLens 1 is Unity based, comes with a Holographic UI sample app, and is now available!
Access our HoloLens documentation section to start your first steps with the Wikitude SDK all the way through to advanced concepts and examples for developing your augmented reality project.
Put your HoloLens 1 project into action with the Wikitude AR SDK and work with the reliable augmented reality technology you need to create hands-free AR solutions tailored to your business objectives.
The company is the first to offer optimized AR software for the full spectrum of tethered smartglasses starting with Epson® Moverio® BT-35E
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA/SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – May 29, 2019 – Wikitude, the largest independent augmented reality platform, today announced support for all leading wearable technologies and has expanded its offering from standalone devices like Hololens to a new spectrum of smart glasses that plug into compatible smartphones, such as the Epson Moverio BT-35E. Epson is now the first AR device manufacturer to partner with Wikitude to deliver the new optimized AR experience to users with tethered devices.
“Our partnership is jump-starting the next generation of immersive AR computing, enabling users to experience realistic and highly engaging AR content with Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) connected to 5G smartphones,” said Martin Herdina, CEO of Wikitude. “Wikitude is pleased to partner with Epson, a market leader in designing these fashionable, robust devices for real-world solutions.”
AR-glasses powered by smartphones are the future
Smart glasses that are plugged into phones are game changers in the market. The heavy computing is now managed by smartphones instead of the HMD. This makes smart glasses slick and lightweight, almost like sunglasses, they become much more affordable and can be used outside of Wi-Fi coverage.
“Wikitude was one of the first AR platforms to offer a Moverio-optimized experience. They continue to evolve and improve their solution to support the next generation Moverio products,” said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, augmented reality, Epson America, Inc. “The BT-35E is a great example of a device that combines phone-centric, USB-C connectivity1, light-weight design, and sub-$1,000 pricing that AR use-cases demand today.”
Wikitude SDK optimized for Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 855 Mobile Platform
Another new and powerful converged effort is between Wikitude and Qualcomm Technologies to bring hyper-immersive AR-experiences to the next level. The Wikitude AR platform is now optimized for Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform, which means consumers and enterprise professionals with devices powered by Snapdragon have the ability to experience AR as realistic as it can get with real-life environments seamlessly blended into the virtual world.
“Qualcomm Technologies continues to drive leadership and scale in XR by offering a compelling experience to XR viewers tethered to Snapdragon-powered devices,” said Hiren Bhinde, director, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “The Wikitude platform opens new opportunities for developers to create immersive experiences with features like plane detection, image, object, and scene tracking, all seamlessly integrated and fully optimized for standalone HMDs and the next generation of AR devices.”
The market’s first ‘one-suits-all’ AR SDK
The Wikitude platform is the only technology that offers comprehensive compatibility for developers and brings a unique feature set with plane detection, image, object, and scene tracking, all seamlessly integrated and fully optimized for the next generation of AR devices. This opens new opportunities to build more compelling, lightweight apps for gaming, industry, and enterprise experiences than ever before.
The Wikitude solution is the only one of its kind that runs across all operating systems (iOS, Android, and UWP) and devices, so AR developers can port them easily from smartphone AR to new headsets”, said Philipp Nagele, CTO of Wikitude. “Developers will particularly enjoy working with our optimized AR SDK that brings reliability and a proven platform for building consumer and enterprise level solutions.”
A demonstration of the technology will be held at the upcoming AWE USA conference in Santa Clara, May 29th-31, 2019, at the Wikitude booth (#419).
About Wikitude
Wikitude is the leading independent augmented reality platform for phones, tablets, and smart glasses with more than 100,000 registered developers, 25,000 published apps, and 1 billion app installs. Wikitude enables developers, agencies, and enterprises to create AR experiences that delight, amaze, and provide a tangible return on investment.
Image Recognition just got better! Wikitude developers are now able to recognize even more types of targets and can enjoy new SDK features and performance updates.
As a result of our latest product improvement cycle, we are proud to present Wikitude SDK 8.5. The update offers even more stability to the platform and introduces two brand new Image Recognition features:
Transparent Areas in Image Targets
Image Targets at Runtime
New Image Recognition Features and Improvements
Wikitude Image Recognition is one of the best performing AR technologies on the market. But don’t take our word for it – we confidently invite any interested party to download a free trial and let the product speak for itself.
And, even though Wikitude has been offering Image Recognition since 2012, we are still eagerly committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with this AR technology. Today we are excited to introduce two new Image Recognition features.
Transparent Areas in Image Targets
The new Transparent Area feature has been included to support those special types of image targets that do not fit the typical rectilinear image shape.
Examples of such images containing transparent areas beyond the main outlines include tattoos, stickers, logos, images with cutouts and basically any image file containing parts with alpha channel transparency.
Details at a glance:
Images with transparent areas can now be used as Target Images
Transparent areas will be ignored during the recognition and tracking process
Works with Image Targets at Runtime, not with WTC files
SDK 8.4 (without transparency support – WTC) X SDK 8.5 (with transparency support)
Image Targets at Runtime
Traditionally, Image Recognition requires developers to create an Image Target collection (WTC file), previous to the AR experience, to be used to detect and track images. As efficient and well-performing as this process may be – and it will continue existing as is, developers now have an additional option to create Image Targets.
With the new Image Targets at Runtime functionality, developers can create Image Targets on the fly, no need for preprocessing.
Details at a glance:
Use regular images (png, jpg,…) directly with SDK as target images
Multiple images can be bundled into a zip file
No need for WTC file creation
Working with WTC files remains as is
Being able to define Image Targets at runtime means users have the ability to easily create AR experiences on the spot. Ideal for quick and convenient testing during the development phase.
Also practical for spontaneous use cases on the go: demos during networking, dynamic art projects, in a classroom environment, adding AR to game cards, and more.
As mentioned above, Runtime Targets give Wikitude developers yet another target creation option. However, the traditional WTC file target collection methods continue to offer advanced functionalities, such as target image performance ratings and manual height value input fields. Ideal for AR experiences that require fine tuning and precise input for even more accurate distance to target calculation and proper wearable device calibration.
Image Recognition Performance Improvements
SDK 8.5 is a big release for Image Recognition AR technology. Alongside the new features presented above, the update is bringing significant performance advancements. Not only are image targets being recognized faster, but they are also being recognized from even further away. Check the details below:
Recognition distance
Image Targets can now be recognized from more than three meters away. To be more precise, we tested an A4 / US-letter sized image target and SDK 8.5 was able to recognize it from 312cm away. That is a whopping +40% increase in distance from previous SDK versions.
Regardless of the target size, our performance tests show that, with SDK 8.5, image targets can be recognized even when they occupy a mere 1% of the device screen area. In other words, this update is ideal for use cases in which users do not have the target image within hands reach.
Duplicate Targets
With a growing demand for multiple and duplicate target Image Recognition, on this release, our team focused on improving duplicate target handling. Wikitude developers will notice faster recognition when it comes to duplicate targets.
Recognition Speed and Tracking Stability
As AR technology provider pioneers, Wikitude takes pride in the quality and performance of its Image Recognition technology. And thanks to the natural advancements in processing capacity of devices, camera optics and related technology in general, we are able to expand the performance and capability of our own AR technology along the way. With this 8.5 release, expect substantial improvements in image recognition speed and tracking stability.
Update to the iOS sample project – now based on Swift 4.2
Apple has been progressing the Swift programming language quite fast since its inception in 2014. Nearly every year a new major version was released by Apple. As part of the Wikitude SDK, we are shipping sample applications, that show the integration of the Wikitude SDK and how to use the APIs to create AR experiences. The Swift-based sample project was already a little bit rusty and still based on Swift 3 – in SDK 8.5 the project is now based on Swift 4.2 and is compatible with the latest Xcode version.
AR SDK enhancements, fixes, and stability improvements
In parallel to the new components and innovative solutions that are frequently being added to the Wikitude AR feature set, our augmented reality SDK is also constantly being submitted to rigorous quality tests to ensure that Wikitude developers have access to the finest and most comprehensive AR tools on the market.
Wikitude SDK 8.5 includes a series of fixes and stability improvements. Please review the release notes for your platform for an in-depth report.
Active Wikitude SDK subscribers are entitled to any and all SDK version updates that are released throughout their term. All other parties are invited, however, to download a free Wikitude SDK 8.5 trial version for testing purposes.
Access our download page to explore all options or click on the direct links below to begin downloading now. Once the download is complete you will be automatically redirected to the signup/login page.
Interested in keeping your app running smoothly and always compatible with operating system device updates. Send us an email to learn how you can get 1+ year of SDK upgrades through our increasingly popular subscription program.
New to Wikitude? Access our store to choose your package or contact our team to discuss your specific AR requirements in detail.
Attending AWE USA 2019 in Santa Clara, CA? Make sure to visit Booth 419 to check cool SDK 8.5 demos and meet the Wikitude team. CTO Phil Nagele will also be talking about scanning and using 3D objects in AR experiences on mobile and smart glasses at the developer track on May 30. More details and Promo Discount code here. Don’t miss out!
Wikitude is continuously working to improve its SDK so that you can have a smooth and comprehensive AR-developing experience.
Check the latest product enhancements, support updates, fixes and all that has changed with the Wikitude SDK 8.4 release.
Plane Detection
After being introduced last September as an experimental AR feature, Plane Detection went through important tests and tweaks and is now ready for its official debut.
With Plane detection, you can create AR experiences that accurately anchor digital content to surfaces at any orientation.
Horizontal Up (floor, carpet, table)
Horizontal Down (ceiling)
Vertical (walls, doors)
Arbitrary (ramps)
This AR feature not only expands use-case possibilities but also increases the accuracy of environment-understanding. Highly essential for AR experiences that are triggered without the use of pre-mapped targets – SLAM markerless technology.
Plane detection is available for Native API and Unity, with support for JavaScript coming later.
Image Recognition improvements
As the most commonly used Wikitude AR feature, our developer community tends to have a soft spot for Image Recognition. So we try to take extra good care of it.
Our latest developments have been leading to an increase in recognition speed and tracking performance. Wikitude AR developers can expect faster recognition and higher performance in challenging conditions such as cluttered environments and variable lighting already in this release, with even more optimization coming soon. Stay tuned!
New feature: “isDeviceSupportedAPI” in Native API
Working with appropriate AR tools means, among other things, having your apps run on a multitude of different devices from your user base. Even though not all of them might be fully compatible with your AR features of choice, luckily the Wikitude AR features run on the vast majority of current smart devices in circulation today.
When in doubt, use the “isDeviceSupportedAPI” function to easily and quickly check if certain AR features run on a specific smart device or not.
The “isDeviceSupportedAPI” has been available in the JavaScript API for some time now. The same API is now also available in the Native API and helps you save time when checking device compatibility.
Wikitude SDK 8.4 alterations*
End-of-Support: Titanium Module
Wikitude will open source the Titanium Module on Github in the upcoming weeks.
End-of-Support: x86 Intel architecture for Android SDK
x86 support for UWP-based devices, Epson BT-350, and Vuzix M300 will remain intact.
New minimum iOS requirement: iPhone 5s
New minimum Unity requirement: Unity 2017.4 LTS
Unity 2017.4: builds Android 64-bit by default
*access the 2019 SDK Clean-up article to view the full list of announced SDK alterations.
AR platform enhancements, fixes, and stability improvements
Wikitude SDK 8.4 contains many fixes and stability improvements as a result of our ongoing quality assurance projects that help keep our AR platform finely tuned, accurate and reliable.
Please review the release notes for your platform for an in-depth report.
Wikitude customers with active subscriptions are entitled to this and all upcoming SDK updates launched during their term. Don’t have an SDK subscription? Contact our team to get one.
SDK 8.4 is available for various supported platforms, extensions, and operating systems. Create powerful cross-platform AR experiences for smartphones, tablets and digital eyewear across Android, iOS and Windows:
Update to Wikitude SDK 8.2 to creat powerfull cross-platform AR apps for iOs, UWP and Android.
The Wikitude SDK provides an array of features and extensions that enable developers to create customized AR experiences that perform at the highest level.
To ensure that our developer community has continued access to one of the best AR platforms on the market, we are continuously improving the Wikitude SDK. We’ve had great advancements over that last couple of months, and today we are proud to present Wikitude SDK 8.3!
Wikitude is releasing SDK 8.3 to offer performance enhancements, important fixes, additional product support, compatibility updates and more.
UWP Native API – Public Release
ARchitect based on Universal SDK
Compatibility with Unity 2018.3
Last release for Titanium
Support for Vuzix M300
Critical fixes and stability improvements
Faster and more reliable Object Recognition, Extended Tracking, and Instant Tracking
UWP Native API – Public Release
After a series of tests and adjustments, following the feedback received from the UWP Native beta release – last November, SDK 8.3 is now fully prepared to offer Native API support for Windows-based apps.
This addition means that the Wikitude SDK now enables both Native and Unity for UWP applications. Download the UWP Native API package to start developing using C++.
ARchitect based on Universal SDK
Wikitude has been making major modifications to its core SDK design. These efforts, which we’ve named project Universal SDK, have been important in the process of preparing our platform for the growing requirements and opportunities within the AR field. The results have been awesome and the project has already enabled Unity Live Preview, Windows support, and resulted in significant performance improvements.
With this release, we are revealing the next achievement of this project. SDK 8.3 is extending the Universal SDK to the JavaScript API for Android and iOS. This expansion has addressed critical fixes and significantly improved the software core performance and stability.
Compatibility with Unity 2018.3
Unity 2018.3 introduced significant updates to the Unity AR Foundation. According to their release post, developers now have access to a new set of optimized camera image APIs. This new feature allows users to efficiently access camera images on the CPU. Therefore, ideal for developers that choose to do their own image-processing.
Wikitude SDK 8.3 is fully compatible with Unity 2018.3. Access Wikitude SDK for Unity to download.
Last release for Titanium
As officially informed on December 19, 2018, due to a drastic decrease in product demand, Wikitude will discontinue support for the Titanium Module. Appcelerator developers can learn more by accessing the Product update: Titanium Module post.
To ease the migration progress for our subscription customers currently using Appcelerator, we have included Titanium support in this SDK 8.3 release.
Support for Vuzix M300
Wikitude has been optimizing its AR SDK to support Vuzix Smart Glasses since early 2014. With SDK 8.3, we extended our platform to include AR support for the Vuzix M300 Smart Glasses.
The Vuzix M300 Smart Glasses were built for the enterprise market to deliver a hands-free solution for accessing, collecting and managing data. Developers can now use our SDK to create powerful Image Recognition AR experiences to improve workflows and other aspects of industrial, medical, retail and many other businesses.
Critical fixes and stability improvements
Parallel to our new-AR-feature development initiatives, Wikitude is also committed to delivering a high-performing platform to ensure our existing technology runs smooth, accurately and reliably.
Thanks to the feedback of our awesome developer community and our continued investments in stability improvements we were able to attend to many customer reports and implement critical fixes and enhancements in SDK 8.3.
Please review the release notes for an in-depth report.
Faster and more reliable Object Recognition, Extended Tracking, and Instant Tracking
At its core, the Wikitude SDK has an advanced computer vision engine that has been developed 100% in-house. Because of our independent development, the Wikitude team has total control and a profound understanding of every aspect of the AR platform.
With SDK 8.3 our development team has introduced a new CV engine version that was redesigned to perfect the performance of all tracker types, with a particular focus on Object Recognition, Extended Tracking, and Instant Tracking features.
Outlook
The Wikitude SDK 8.3 release is delivering a powerful and even more stable AR platform to our developer community. Behind the scenes, however, the wheels are always in motion and our team is working on many cool features and updates. Stay tuned!
Download Wikitude SDK 8.3
Visit our store to select the ideal license plan for your AR project or talk to one of our specialists to discuss your specific AR requirements in detail.
Wikitude SDK 8.3 is available* for various supported platforms, extensions, and operating systems. Choose your package by clicking on the button below.
Regards from us to your 2019 version!
Is it a better, healthier, more stable, and successful one? We hope so!
That’s where Wikitude is heading. We already took the first steps of 2019 in this direction.
Throughout 2018 we launched several updates, and now we’re bringing you a new feature that is a definite sign of growth, both literally and figuratively: Extension of Object Targets.
Extension of Object Targets, alongside significant process improvements, are the result of learnings drawn from internal testing and feedback we received from our users.
As a small parenthesis to clarify those less familiar with Wikitude, Studio is a web browser tool with two main functionalities:
Target Manager: targets are the real-life elements (2D or 3D) on which you can display digital augmentations. The Manager functionality allows you to create Image (2D) and Object (3D) Targets, check the quality of Image Targets as well as share them to the cloud, and export your projects to embed them in your app.
Studio Editor: here you can visualize your targets in detail, edit them, quickly add augmentations and test. Moreover, without any coding knowledge, you can preview the AR experience and publish it to the Wikitude app.
Extension of Object Targets
This new feature can improve tracking and recognition of 3D objects and scenes, allowing you to extend an Object Target with additional images after its initial creation.
The workflow is simple: you create an Object Target by uploading a few pictures of your object. Based on your images a point cloud is created which you can view in Studio Editor.
You may notice that some parts of your object are not well-represented in the point cloud, which could, in turn, affect your target’s tracking and recognition quality.
To improve tracking and recognition, you can now extend your target by adding more pictures of the same object. This will cover new areas and add details to the ones which were not well mapped before. Make sure that you choose images which have some overlaps with the images you’ve selected for the initial creation.
*Please keep in mind that this function will only work with projects created from now on and older Object Targets cannot be extended.
Process Improvements
On the process level, we fine-tuned two aspects which lead, according to internal tests, to substantial results: an improvement of 20% in location accuracy as well as being able to recognize and track the object in the camera view in 20% more situations than before.
Firstly, our algorithms were adjusted to map more pictures and in more cases. Therefore, images that can not be used are a lot rarer now and there is a higher probability that the majority of source pictures can be used in generating the Object Target.
Secondly, the mapping process itself was modified to prioritize the order in which we process pictures based on their accuracy. This leads to more robust Object Targets and better control over difficult photos.
Read more Wikitude Studio related news in the previous Wikitude Studio release blog post.
If you haven’t yet, now there’s one more reason to try the Object and Scene Recognition feature. Sign up today to try Wikitude SDK and Studio Editor for free.
Our team is proud to announce the availability of Wikitude SDK 8.2 today. This update brings some exciting new features and performance improvements such as:
Support for Windows in Native API
Increased performance of Wikitude’s computer vision (CV) engine
Bug fixes and general improvements on the SDK
Run Wikitude Apps on Surface and other Windows devices
Back in summer 2018, Wikitude made its first step into the Windows universe by adding support for Windows-based apps (UWP) through Unity. While Unity 3D is a great rendering engine and a comprehensive tool to create AR apps, more and more developers need to be in full control of their apps.
With SDK 8.2 UWP you can use the UWP Native API to embed augmented reality features directly into their UWP apps. We’re launching this in a Beta version today and are looking forward to your feedback on using the new Native APIs and running the SDK on more UWP hardware – based on customer feedback our primary target device is the Microsoft Surface tablet.
As with all Wikitude SDK products the trial version of the UWP Native API is entirely free and can be used to test the SDK on your specific business use-case.
Newest version of the Wikitude CV engine
Since the beginning Wikitude has placed great emphasis on its own independent computer vision engine to power the features of the Wikitude SDK.
SDK 8.2 incorporates the newest version of the engine with improvements in the following areas:
Instant Tracking: More accurate and faster mapping for all scenes;
Object Recognition and Tracking: Faster and more accurate recognition with a significantly enhanced tracking behavior;
Plane Detection: Since its first experimental appearance in SDK 8.1, we ran many tests with the goal to improve the overall performance of plane detection. In 8.2, we still label this feature experimental, but you will find many improvements in detection speed and detection accuracy.
Note, the overall behavior at the beginning changed in a way, that the initial area is not assumed as plane and it will take a little bit longer to see planes. This prevents the “plane blinking effect” in which false planes are detected, then removed, and substituted by the correct plane detections within seconds after starting.
Quality, Quality, Quality
Wikitude has invested a lot of time to ensure a stable product and increased quality. This release includes the first improvements of this investment with numerous fixes and enhancements throughout the code-base. Some of them are listed below:
Camera2 API (Android) now accessed faster
Gestures now behave correctly when targets and objects are rotated
Fix for 3D model animations when a target is lost/found
Fix for the Unity Editor where the indicator for target quality was wrongly calculated
Fix a networking issue for iOS when loading content from https servers using SNI
Start developing with Wikitude
Getting started with SDK 8.2 has never been easier! Here’s how:
Download the SDK free trial and sample app (included in the download package)
SDK 8 was groundbreaking for the augmented reality community.
For the first time, developers could track environments and objects with Scene Recognition, save the AR experiences in their micro clouds and make them persistent and easy to share across devices and users.
Today, we’re excited to bring an update to the Wikitude SDK with the following highlights:
Support for iOS 12
Support for Android 9
Compatibility with Unity 2018.2
Plane Detection for Instant Tracking
The core engine for Scene & Object Recognition as well as Instant Tracking received an upgrade as well, delivering a higher degree of tracking fidelity and recognition accuracy.
And finally, some good news for all Xamarin developers – the Xamarin component received a major upgrade and now is fully compatible with NuGet. Keep reading to learn more!
Get ready to experiment with Plane Detection
Plane Detection has become a crucial feature in the process of building markerless augmented reality.
It helps developers better understand the geometry of the environment around them and place 3D content into the world. So far the Wikitude SDK provided access to the point cloud of the scene as well as hit-testing as means for understanding the surrounding of a user.
SDK 8.1 brings a first experimental version of Plane Detection to Wikitude’s SLAM engine, enabling more accurate and realistic AR experiences. This first test allows you to detect any surfaces using the Wikitude’s Instant Tracking and place AR content anywhere in the world.
With “any” we not only mean horizontal planes like floors, tables or ceilings or vertical planes like walls or doors – also arbitrary angled planes are understood by the Wikitude SDK.
Plane Detection enables the mapping of environments allowing developers to identify corners, walls, ceilings, and physical objects as augmentable surfaces. Once detected, the Wikitude SDK provides information like origin, extent, and perimeter to developers.
A new sample in the sample app showcases Plane Detection and is available for Native API and Unity with this release, and will be included in JavaScript related SDKs soon after. For now we launch Plane Detection under the label Experimental and are continuously working to increase reliability.
We’re excited to see your tests and get your feedback on this feature. Let us know what kind of planes you can detect!
Support for iOS 12 and Android 9.0
Wikitude developers are always in the forefront of change. With the release of iOS 12 approaching and Android 9 out in the wild, with SDK 8.1 you will be able to publish your apps in the stores with full compatibility to Apple’s and Google’s latest OS updates.
Android 9 is a BIG update for users. From changes in the navigation logic to an AI-powered assistant, Android 9 is getting people excited with lots of small but valuable changes. Although no augmented reality specific features have been announced (yet?), we expect its new Adaptive Battery feature will help AR experiences by better managing battery usage and increasing performance.
iOS 12 brings more to augmented reality than Google’s update. Using SMART, Wikitude developers will be able to deliver experiences supported by ARKit 2 under one API with a broader device coverage. Whether you are using one of the few devices compatible with ARKit, or any other device, developers will be able to deliver realistic, persistent and shareable AR experiences using Wikitude’s SLAM engine or Apple’s.
Support for Unity 2018.2
After introducing Unity Live Preview, a long-awaited feature by Unity developers, we are excited to announce support for Unity’s latest version (2018.2).
Boost your Unity-based apps with scene recognition, persistent instant AR targets, extended object recognition and other features included in SDK 8.1 onwards.
The algorithms in the Wikitude SDK are fully optimized for 64-bit architecture, so make sure to enable 64-bit support for Android in your Unity project to benefit fully from the optimizations.
More stable tracking for Object, Scene, and Instant Tracking
At its core, the Wikitude SDK is running an in-house developed SLAM engine that map and track the surrounding and power features like Object & Scene Recognition or our award-winning Instant Tracking. In SDK 8 we introduced a new generation of SLAM engine to increase accuracy and tracking quality in general.
With SDK 8.1 this engine receives its first substantial upgrade:
Recognition accuracy for multiple Object Targets in a Target Collection is now better than ever;
Instant Tracking, and with it Extended Image Tracking and Extended Object Tracking, track the environment more reliable when it comes to rotational movements;
Tracking stability and accuracy has been increased in general;
Tracking of objects now behaves more stable when moving around it.
Efficiency mode
For more than a year, the Wikitude SDK has an explicit efficiency mode for all sorts of trackers implemented. This efficiency mode helps to deliver AR experiences on older devices, which are not equipped with powerful hardware.
This mode has been set in the background automatically and will reduce the runtime of the trackers without sacrificing too much quality. In SDK 8.1 developers can now set this mode explicitly through an API to better match their requirements.
Update for Xamarin component fully embracing NuGet
With Xamarin Studio completely merged into Visual Studio and NuGet as the only proper way to distribute Wikitude’s augmented reality component, the existing component wasn’t meeting Xamarin developers need anymore.
SDK 8.1 includes a new Xamarin component that now combines the separated iOS and Android libraries into a single one and is properly working with NuGet distribution mechanism.
You can find the updated component on our download page or NuGet.
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We’re excited to see your tests and get your feedback on this feature. Let us know what kind of planes you can detect!
Android 9 is getting people excited with lots of small but valuable changes. Although no augmented reality specific features have been announced (yet?), we expect its new Adaptive Battery feature will help AR experiences by better managing battery usage and increasing performance. 
