Augmented Reality: Concise Definition
Augmented reality (AR) describes certain experiences involving designers enhancing portions of users’ physical environment by adding computer-generated content.
Designers craft content—varying between sound and video, to graphics and GPS overlays or others—encompassing digital content that reacts within real-time to modifications within the user’s environment, usually action.
AR’s Position Within the Environment of Concrete Reality
Augmented reality contains science-fiction influences documented from 1901.
Still, Thomas Caudell categorized the idea as a technology only from 1990 upon drafting designs that enable Boeing workers to visualize aircraft constructs.
Some huge progress arrived in 1992 with Louis Rosenberg’s advanced Virtual Fixtures AR construct for the US Air Force.
AR inventions emerged within the retail arena, most significantly the ARQuake game (2000) or the design program ARToolkit (2009).
The 2010s saw a technological renaissance—for instance, including Microsoft’s HoloLens within 2015—which transcended mere AR in the traditional format, with AR software independently growing progressively advanced, desired, or cost-friendly.
Within the umbrella term extended reality (XR), AR diverges from virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR).
Certain confusion lingers, especially between AR or MR.
Increasingly with the 2020s’ technology boom, much controversy persists over content that separate terms describe.
Within user experience (UX) design, this covers:
- AR—You design for digital units to manifest within real-world perception, occasionally along restricted interactivity between them, usually through smartphones. Instances encompass Apple’s ARKit and Android’s ARCore (developer kits), the Pokémon Go game.
- VR—You design immersive experiences that withdraw users from the concrete environment, usually through headset utilities. Instances encompass PSVR for gaming, Oculus or Google Cardboard, allowing users to navigate, e.g., Stonehenge using headset-mounted smartphones.
- MR—You design for blending AR and VR elements so digital objects may engage with the concrete environment; so, you design units that are rooted in actual reality. Instances encompass Magic Leap or HoloLens, that users could apply, e.g., to study more closely ways to repair objects.
Partially due to the minor overlaps between interactivity, labels occasionally utilize AR interchangeably with MR.
The augmented reality stays fashionable—regardless of the point that the original sense of AR design is overlaying digital elements upon real-world views: e.g., GPS filters/overlays upon smartphone screens so users could derive directions from street views.
So, digital elements are just superimposed over real-world perception, not rooted directly in them: The computer-generated visuals cannot engage with the actual displays’ users see—unlike in MR.
The HoloLens is MR, for example, as it understands the extension in a room and blends digital objects with the user’s concrete world.
Top Augmented Reality (AR) Service Providers in Singapore
Augmented Reality Provider |
Vividthree |
| Specialty | Vividthree Holdings Ltd. is Singapore’s first-listed Immersive Digital Content Production Powerhouse specialising in virtual reality, visual effects, and computer-generated imagery with strong network presence in Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Vividthree’s brand of excellence is found in top-grossing films: Jack Neo’s box-office breaking trilogy Ah Boys to Men; Hollywood’s Robotropolis etc.
Services: Animation videos, compositing, 2D animations, 3D animations, visual effects/ color grading |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@vividthree.com |
| Website | http://www.vividthree.com/ |
| Address | Blk 1093 Lower Delta Road #05-10 Singapore, Singapore 169204 |
| Telephone | +65-6270 0818 |
| Opening hours | 9.30 am to 7 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Untitled Project |
| Specialty | They build things that make jaws drop, eyes pop and brains explode. They developed virtual homes for Airbnb, futuristic gyms for Nike, whisky journeys for Diageo, sonic circuses for Heineken. Founded in 2014, Untitled Project works with global brands and regional clients to create experiences that dazzle, immerse, and seduce.
Services: 360-degree animation, Immersive Storytelling, Interactive Apps, Motorized Dollies, Mobile and Web-VR |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: hello@untitledproject.sg |
| Website | https://untitledproject.sg/ |
| Address | 2 Alexandra Rd #05-07 Delta House, Singapore 159919 |
| Telephone | +65 9722 016 |
| Opening hours | 24/7 |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Arplanet |
| Specialty | Arplanet provides a comprehensive range of integrated augmented and virtual reality solutions, allowing businesses to stay on top of the latest technology trends. Since their establishment in 2010, they have won numerous domestic and international awards, and have had patents granted for our innovative solutions, providing AR, VR, MR solutions.
Services: Augmented Reality, immersive AR experiences, AR technology, AR Platform, AR solutions |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: hello@arplanet.sg |
| Website | https://arplanet.com.sg/ |
| Address | 18 Cross Street, #02-101, Cross Street Exchange Singapore 048423 |
| Telephone | +65 87878775 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 4 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Helloholo |
| Specialty | HelloHolo is an Immersive Media consultancy that provides end-to-end solution development for clients. Founded in 2016, their team based in Singapore has become one of the leading brands developing for Mixed Reality platforms like Microsoft HoloLens 2. As Microsoft’s officially appointed Mixed Reality Partner and DMP, their team supports 24/7.
Services: Application Development, 360° Solutions, 360° Services, 3D Art & Content, Augmented Reality |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: support@helloholo.sg |
| Website | https://helloholo.sg/ |
| Address | 70 Shenton Way, #07-06/07 Singapore, Singapore 079118 |
| Telephone | +65-9126 1304 |
| Opening hours | 24/7 |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Studio249 |
| Specialty | Studio249, the Mixed Reality powerhouse from ST Engineering, is the first appointed Mixed Reality Partner in Singapore since 2018 and have been delivering various customised MR applications. Studio 249 offers advanced Mixed Reality technologies to facilitate learning and improve training outcomes. Their versatile technology provides learners with real-time guidance, feedback.
Services: Microsoft HoloLens 2, hardware, mixed reality, artificial intelligence, Mixed Reality Partner, MR applications |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: KTS_KLDC@STENGG.COM |
| Website | https://studio249.sg/ |
| Address | 249 Jalan Boon Lay, Singapore 619523 |
| Telephone | +65-6660 3945 |
| Opening hours | 8.30am to 5.30 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Credensys |
| Specialty | From start-ups to global giants, countless companies and brands now rely on Augmented Reality to create compelling experiences for their customers. Tell your brand’s story by overlaying 3D content in the form of videos, animation, objects on brochures, catalogues, and more. With AR-based applications, customers get life-like experiences of branding.
Services: AR App, Augmented Reality, immersive experiences, augmenting 2D/3D graphic, 3D Modelling |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: pr@credencys.com |
| Website | http://www.credencys.com/ |
| Address | 16 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048581 |
| Telephone | +65-9025 7569 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 6 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Swag Soft |
| Specialty | Chee Yong co-founded Swag Soft in 2010 seeking to lead the company to become Singapore’s most trusted mobile app development firms. With multiple successful projects delivered, that goal has been accomplished. Chee Yong now uses his years of experience in programming and leading tech teams to mentor Swag Soft’s developers.
Services: Mobile app development, game development. Custom mobile app development. AR development, virtual reality development |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@swagsoft.com.sg |
| Website | https://swagsoft.com.sg/ |
| Address | 150 Jalan Besar #02-01, 208868 |
| Telephone | +65 9623 4947 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 7 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
CraveFX |
| Specialty | The CraveFX team comprises art directors, 3D generalists, motion graphic artists, illustrators, animators, designers, and producers. They can easily take you from concept to final render in the creation of captivating videos & designs. They work together under one roof to ensure rapid turnaround and visual consistency, crafting augmented reality.
Services: Augmented reality, AR app, 2D animation, 3D animation, motion graphics |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: hello@cravefx.com |
| Website | https://cravefx.com/ |
| Address | General Magnetics Building 625 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh #04-01 Singapore 319519 |
| Telephone | +65 6909 6089 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 7 pm |
Automaton Service Provider |
Hiverlab |
| Specialty | Hiverlab drives digital transformation with emerging technologies to redefine human interactions for an innovative and inclusive world. Their platform and solutions cover a range of latest technologies, including data analytics, AR / VR / MR, cloud computing, etc., to empower organizations around the world to build their future digital infrastructure.
Services: Data analytics, AR / VR / MR, cloud computing, AR storytelling, Virtual event |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: ask@hiverlab.com |
| Website | https://www.hiverlab.com/ |
| Address | 1008 Toa Payoh North, #04-12/14/15 Singapore, Singapore 318996 |
| Telephone | +65-6816 0391 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 7 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Mages Studio |
| Specialty | MAGES STUDIO is a Creative Tech solution provider based out of Singapore. Performing at the core of Technology, Enterprise, and People, they create meaningful solutions in the domain of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, & Applied Games. Catalyzing innovation and creativity, they stay ahead with the latest technology, Games, AR/VR Applications.
Services: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Applied Games, AR/VR Applications, Games |
| Pricing | Request a quotation:enquiry@magesstudio.com.sg |
| Website | https://magesstudio.com.sg/ |
| Address | 2 Orchard Link, SCAPE #05-08, Singapore 237978 |
| Telephone | +65 6592 6736 |
| Opening hours | 9.30 am to 6.30 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
VizioFly |
| Specialty | Based in Singapore, VizioFly is an interactive media content production company specializing in creating premium 360° video, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) & Mixed Reality (MR) content for corporate, film, education, travel, and others. They explore an infinite spectrum of possibilities in creative video and interactive media, New Media.
Services: virtual exhibitions, virtual tours, virtual meetings, digital twins, multi-user VR/AR |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: INFO@VIZIOFLY.COM |
| Website | https://www.viziofly.com/ |
| Address | 8 Burn Road, #12-02, Singapore 369977 |
| Telephone | +65 6497 0123 |
| Opening hours | 9 am to 11.30 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
BIMLife |
| Specialty | They offer different mediums for you to communicate your building designs. From the exterior space, they have drone photography and videography available, while 360-degree images for interior space are becoming common applications for interior designers and property agents. They also work with your digital model to produce impressive walkthroughs, simulations.
Services: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, VR Showroom, AR Apps, Interactive media |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: hello@bimlife.com |
| Website | https://www.bimlife.com/ |
| Address | 63 Ubi Ave 1, #07-02 63@Ubi, Singapore 408937 |
| Telephone | +65- 9017 9347 |
| Opening hours | 24/7 |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Haroko Studio |
| Specialty | Haroko Studio creates seamless 360 virtual tours and 360 videos that engage and inspire their viewers. As a virtual tour company, Haroko Studio has helped hundreds of prestigious clients showcase their favourite spaces, including restaurants, storefronts, production facilities, exhibits, and homes. They have done countless 360 virtual tour projects, exhibitions.
Services: High-Definition Virtual Tour, Interactive Virtual Tour, 3D Virtual Tour. Virtual Reality Tour, Virtual Tour Services |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@harokostudio.com |
| Website | https://www.harokostudio.com/ |
| Address | Oxley Bizhub, Blk 69 Ubi Road 1, #10-25 Singapore 408731 |
| Telephone | +65 9129 2665 |
| Opening hours | 9 am to 9 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
mobistudios |
| Specialty | Mobistudios (Australia), offers creative design and technology related services. Gained experience and knowledge in Digital Signage content development and solutions. Mobistudios (Singapore) opened to create new opportunities and explore new grounds in offering innovative design & technology solutions – through application of knowledge and experience gathered in the industry, advertising digitally.
Services: digital screen solutions, interactive screen solutions, digital screen advertising, augmented reality, interactive marketing |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: sales@mobistudios.com.sg |
| Website | http://www.mobistudios.com.sg/ |
| Address | 11 Woodlands Close #09-22 Unit A, 737853 |
| Telephone | +65-6747 5737 |
| Opening hours | 9 am to 5 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
webpuppies |
| Specialty | Webpuppies is the trusted technology provider for multiple government organizations and some of the biggest brands globally. With 20 years of experience and over 2500 projects, Webpuppies has unparalleled credentials in change management, technological disruption, and business innovation. By enabling companies to advance forward in the technology spectrum, Webpuppies enhances profitability.
Services: Mobile applications, E-commerce Website Development, Custom Web Application Development, Software Development, Augmented Reality Development |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@webpuppies.com.sg |
| Website | https://webpuppies.com.sg/ |
| Address | Oxley Towers 138 Robinson Road, #22-01 Singapore 068906 |
| Telephone | +65 6741 1708 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 8 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Infinity Core |
| Specialty | Founded in Singapore, Infinity Core is an interactive digital agency that focuses and specializes in experiential marketing, digital visuals, interactive digital media solutions for brands and businesses. They work with and for the world’s leading agencies, brands, media, and technology companies, with core specialization in human centered design and gamification.
Services: Creative content, software development, hardware solution integration, technology consultancy, augmented reality |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: sales@infinitycore.sg |
| Website | http://www.infinitycore.sg/ |
| Address | 10 Bukit Batok Crescent, The Spire, #05-05 Singapore, Singapore 658079 |
| Telephone | +65-9199 6800 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 6 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Tag Team |
| Specialty | Tag Team is a mixed reality gaming company. Started off as a hardware/IoT company pioneering the laser tag sword, Tag Team developed its proprietary AI software for vision, sound, sensor processing. They are pioneers in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning through the field of networks, sensor technology.
Services: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Interactive media, Mixed reality gaming |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@tagteaminc.sg |
| Website | https://www.tagteaminc.sg/ |
| Address | 920 East Coast Parkway, #01-03, Parkland. Green, Singapore 449875 |
| Telephone | +65-9235 3600 |
| Opening hours | 11am to 6 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
SMU Academy |
| Specialty | Immersive Media is one of the latest emerging technologies disrupting businesses across the globe. With a rich potential and new opportunities to explore, Immersive Media could play a crucial role in the future of brand experiences. Participants will be introduced to Virtual and Augmented Realities, how these enhance brand experiences.
Services: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Immersive Media, Mixed Reality, Interactive Media |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: gilbertong@smu.edu.sg |
| Website | https://academy.smu.edu.sg/beyond-imagination-extended-reality-vr-ar-mr-4561 |
| Address | Singapore Management University, School of Accountancy Building. 60 Stamford Road, Level 4, Singapore 178900 |
| Telephone | +65-6808 5367 |
| Opening hours | 9 am to 6 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Abi-Tech |
| Specialty | They help clients on the implementation of the digital transformation to analyse the business gap by providing Bespoke solution in Mobile Application, Ecommerce, Custom Software Development, IOT, Big Data, Robotics, AI, AR, and VR. They offer help in transforming business from the traditional method into the modern digital transformation, digitalization.
Services: Custom Software Development, IOT, Big Data, Robotics, AI, AR |
| Pricing | Request a quotation:info@abi-tech.com.sg |
| Website | https://abi-tech.com.sg/ |
| Address | Woodland Close #06-26, Woodlands 11, Singapore 737853 |
| Telephone | +65 66532412 |
| Opening hours | 9 am to 6.30 pm |
Augmented Reality Provider |
Buuuk |
| Specialty | Their work spans a variety of verticals – including retail, real estate, construction, automotive, shipping, financial services, and technology. They work with B2B and B2C clients to provide solutions and support for digital products and services. They deliver consumer-facing and enterprise mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, workforce automation tools, reporting dashboards etc.
Services: Mobile apps, Software development, Digital transformation, CMS & business intelligence dashboards, Enterprise Deployment |
| Pricing | Request a quotation: hello@buuuk.com |
| Website | https://buuuk.com/ |
| Address | WeWork ARC 380 Jalan Besar, Singapore, 209000 |
| Telephone | +65- 9873 5984 |
| Opening hours | 10 am to 6 pm |
AR’s Growing Appeal and Potential
AR designers gained huge advances within the 2010s—a decade filled with precious AR learning and instances whereas the compulsory sensors grow cost-friendly.
Pokémon GO is special, a GPS-oriented app that “inserts” Pokémon characters within users’ reality so users may see and capture these on mobile screens.
Google’s AR stickers are more important instances; users drop realistic images upon their photo captures.
Users find AR incredibly attractive for its fun factor. However, AR’s conventional capacity seems guaranteed spanning a large spectrum of applications, encompassing education within museums.
Using AR applications, you may draw experiences near to users within their independent spaces via designs that are better at engagement, customized and—naturally—fun.
“Augmented reality is going to change everything.”
— Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO
Augmented reality vs mixed reality or virtual reality
Microsoft drew the phrase ‘mixed reality’ (MR) more into public attention upon their release of HoloLens.
Some speculate it could possibly be to brand their technology as something novel and exclusive.
Microsoft reports it was employed to simplify the VR/AR spectrum. Both ways, the novel phrase could have created more chaos than worth the minor editing.
How does AR work?
Augmented reality functions in connection to headsets and/or digital devices inclusive of tablets, smartphones or even PCs.
The instruments independently encapsulate software, sensors or digital projectors that activate digital projections upon physical objects.
AR could be crafted or experienced in multiple distinct manifestations.
For instance, Google Glass projects 2D images upon transparent visors, whereas Microsoft’s HoloLens weaves 3D constructs upon the environment surrounding you.
Apps inclusive of Blippar, Zappar or Aurasma let cost-friendly (rather than cost-exempt) AR content crafting for minor enterprises, training or many more applications, and naturally, eventually, AR functions inside current smartphone apps or games, inclusive of Snapchat and Pokémon Go.
The AR facility engages a camera using “scanning mode”.
To employ certain AR creation apps like Blippar, you must directly point the scanning camera at any object inside the room to generate a database of shapes or corners.
Upon the camera’s detection of a ‘triggering’ object within the database, a digital object projection will display in the place of the directed object.
The Future of Augmented Reality in Singapore
Prospective tourists could see 3D models of Singapore icons like the Merlion from personal living rooms, as part of augmented reality (AR) push by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
The tourism board is building a reserve of such content that businesses in the industry could utilize to market Singapore as a tourist spot and improve their on-site experience, Mr Poh Chi Chuan, STB’s acting chief technology officer told The Straits Times in an interview on Wednesday (Oct 21).
This will assist local businesses to provide a better end-to-end experience for visitors, which will be key in the future of travel as consumers become more selective in their destination choices, Mr Poh said.
Businesses can, for example, use the technology to give potential visitors a preview of their offerings, down to the layout of a hotel room.
Augmented reality can also be used to overlay information or add interactive elements at an attraction.
While the technology is not new, it is a useful and accessible tool to engage consumers as global travel restrictions remain in place, Mr Poh said.
For attractions, it can also add new experiences and content at a lower cost than building a new exhibit, he added.
“I think companies that can use AR will have an edge when travel resumes.”
