AR Wayfinding Glossary of Terms

Welcome to our comprehensive glossary of over 200 terms with one-line descriptions specific to augmented reality (AR) wayfinding, with a focus on indoor navigation. We keep updating this glossary so check back soon for new terms!

wayfinding

A

  1. Augmented Reality (AR)
    Overlaying virtual content onto the physical world using digital devices.
  2. Anchor Point
    A fixed virtual reference in the real world to align AR content.
  3. Asset Tracking
    Real-time monitoring of objects within an indoor AR system.
  4. ARCore
    Google’s toolkit for developing AR applications.
  5. ARKit
    Apple’s AR development platform for precise mapping and interactions.
  6. Artificial Landmarks
    Virtual markers created to aid navigation where real-world anchors are insufficient.
  7. Area Mapping
    Digitally scanning and defining an indoor space for AR overlays.
  8. Augmented Signage
    Enhancing physical signs with AR-based interactive elements.

B

  1. Beacon Technology
    Wireless devices emitting signals for indoor positioning in AR systems.
  2. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
    A protocol used for precise indoor positioning in AR wayfinding.
  3. Bread Crumb Trail
    A visualized path showing where the user has traveled in AR.
  4. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
    Digital 3D building models used for AR-enhanced navigation.
  5. Boundary Detection
    Recognizing physical barriers like walls to confine AR guidance.
  6. Background Mapping
    Using preloaded maps to provide navigation in areas with no real-time scanning.
  7. Building Metadata
    Integrated digital data about a building, such as room names and purposes, for AR use.
  8. Bluetooth Beacons
    Compact transmitters supporting indoor location services in AR systems.

C

  1. Camera Pose Estimation
    Calculating a device's position and orientation for AR accuracy.
  2. Cloud Anchors
    AR markers stored online for collaborative or multi-user navigation.
  3. Crowd Density Mapping
    Visualizing busy areas using AR overlays.
  4. Compass Calibration
    Ensuring accurate device orientation for AR directions indoors.
  5. Collision Detection
    AR systems identifying potential obstacles in navigation paths.
  6. Customizable Routes
    Personalized navigation tailored to user preferences in AR apps.
  7. Contextual Overlays
    Real-time, AR-displayed information about the user’s surroundings.
  8. Computer Vision
    Technology enabling AR systems to analyze and interpret real-world visuals.

D

  1. Digital Floor Plans
    Indoor maps digitized for AR navigation and wayfinding.
  2. Dynamic Navigation
    Adjusting AR routes in real-time based on movement or changes in the environment.
  3. Depth Sensing
    Measuring distances to objects for accurate AR alignment.
  4. Directional Arrows
    Virtual indicators showing the correct path in AR.
  5. Dead Reckoning
    Tracking movement based on internal sensors when GPS or beacons are unavailable.
  6. Dynamic Content
    Changing AR overlays to reflect real-time updates or events.
  7. Data Persistence
    Ensuring virtual content stays anchored over time.
  8. Disambiguation Zones
    Specific areas where AR resolves potential directional confusion.

E

  1. Environmental Mapping
    Digitally scanning indoor areas for AR applications.
  2. Edge Computing
    Processing AR data locally for faster responses and interactions.
  3. Elevator Guidance
    AR instructions for navigating elevators in multi-floor buildings.
  4. Emergency Routing
    AR-guided evacuation paths for safe indoor navigation during emergencies.
  5. End-Point Markers
    Virtual indicators marking a user’s destination in AR.
  6. Entry Detection
    Recognizing entrances to buildings or rooms in AR systems.
  7. Experience Zones
    Indoor areas enhanced with immersive AR features.
  8. Error Correction
    Automated adjustments in AR to account for positional inaccuracies.

F

  1. Fixed Markers
    Stationary objects or tags used as AR reference points.
  2. Fiducial Markers
    Visual symbols recognized by AR systems for anchoring content.
  3. Floor Transition Guidance
    AR instructions for moving between levels in a multi-story space.
  4. Feature Tracking
    Monitoring environmental points for accurate AR positioning.
  5. Free Roam Mode
    An AR navigation mode that allows unstructured exploration.
  6. Facility Zones
    Segmented areas, like restrooms or offices, tagged in AR.
  7. Flexible Routing
    Dynamic AR pathways that adapt to user preferences.
  8. Feedback Loops
    System refinements based on user interaction and input in AR.

G

  1. Geofencing Indoors
    Creating virtual boundaries for specific AR navigation areas.
  2. Graphical Overlays
    Visual elements added to real-world views in AR systems.
  3. Gesture Controls
    Using hand motions to interact with AR wayfinding interfaces.
  4. Goal-Directed Navigation
    AR systems designed to efficiently guide users to a specific target.
  5. Group Navigation
    Coordinating AR routes for multiple users traveling together.
  6. Grid-Based Mapping
    Dividing spaces into grids to simplify AR localization.
  7. Guidance Icons
    Symbols, such as arrows or dots, that provide AR navigation cues.
  8. Global Anchors
    Shared AR reference points accessible to multiple users.

H

  1. Hybrid Navigation
    Combining AR and physical signs for comprehensive guidance.
  2. Heat Maps
    AR displays showing areas of high activity or density.
  3. Head-Up Display (HUD)
    AR projections directly into the user’s field of view.
  4. Haptic Feedback
    Tactile vibrations or responses enhancing AR navigation.
  5. Hierarchical Maps
    Organized maps of multi-level buildings for AR wayfinding.
  6. Human Pose Estimation
    Tracking user movements to improve AR navigation interaction.
  7. Hands-Free Navigation
    AR systems operated via voice or gaze instead of touch.
  8. High-Precision Localization
    Achieving near-perfect accuracy in AR positioning.

I

  1. Indoor Positioning System (IPS)
    Technology enabling accurate indoor navigation for AR.
  2. Image Recognition
    Identifying physical features for precise AR alignment.
  3. Interactive Landmarks
    AR-marked points of interest offering detailed information.
  4. Immersive Directions
    3D arrows or graphics guiding users through indoor spaces.
  5. Instant Relocation
    Rapidly recalibrating user position in AR after significant movement.
  6. Integrated Mapping
    Combining multiple data sources for enhanced AR navigation.
  7. Indoor Atlas
    Digital maps tailored specifically for indoor AR navigation.
  8. Indoor SLAM
    (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) A technique for real-time AR navigation.

J

  1. Journey History
    A record of previously traveled routes shown in AR for reference.
  2. Just-In-Time Alerts
    Notifications provided precisely when needed in AR navigation.
  3. Junction Points
    Areas where paths intersect, marked for clarity in AR.
  4. Jobsite Navigation
    AR-guided pathways for complex industrial or construction sites.
  5. Jump-to-Zone
    Instantly skipping to specific areas of interest in AR navigation.
  6. Joint Tracking
    Monitoring user limb movements for enhanced AR interaction.

K

  1. Keyframe Mapping
    Using specific visual snapshots as anchors for AR localization.
  2. Key Landmarks
    Prominent features highlighted for easier navigation in AR systems.
  3. Knowledge Layer
    Embedding information into AR overlays for user learning.
  4. Keyboard-Free Navigation
    Enabling interaction with AR without physical input devices.

L

  1. Landmark-Based Navigation
    Using real-world or virtual landmarks for routing in AR.
  2. Localization
    Determining a user’s precise position within a mapped space for AR.
  3. Lighting Adjustments
    Modifying AR content for optimal visibility under various indoor conditions.
  4. Location Anchors
    Fixed reference points used to position AR overlays consistently.
  5. Low Latency Rendering
    Ensuring AR visuals update rapidly to match real-time movements.
  6. Line-of-Sight Navigation
    Directing users with AR paths visible in their current view.

M

  1. Motion Tracking
    Following user movements to update AR positioning dynamically.
  2. Mesh Mapping
    Creating 3D meshes of indoor spaces for AR navigation.
  3. Markerless AR
    AR systems that rely on natural features instead of predefined markers.
  4. Multi-Level Navigation
    Providing AR guidance for navigating between different floors.
  5. Mapping Accuracy
    The precision of AR-generated indoor maps for reliable navigation.
  6. Magnetic Positioning
    Using magnetic field variations to improve AR localization indoors.
  7. Minimalist Overlays
    Simple AR visuals for a distraction-free navigation experience.

N

  1. Natural Feature Tracking
    Using environmental details, like corners and textures, to stabilize AR.
  2. Navigation Nodes
    Key points that link segments of an AR navigation path.
  3. Near-Field Interactions
    Close-range AR cues for tasks like opening doors or checking displays.
  4. Noise Reduction
    Filtering out irrelevant data for cleaner AR navigation visuals.

O

  1. Object Detection
    Recognizing objects in the environment for interactive AR guidance.
  2. Offline Navigation
    AR-based guidance without requiring a continuous internet connection.
  3. Obstacle Avoidance
    Dynamically rerouting AR paths to bypass barriers.
  4. Onboarding Cues
    Initial AR prompts to familiarize users with navigation systems.

P

  1. Path Optimization
    Finding the shortest or most efficient routes using AR.
  2. Persistent AR Content
    AR overlays that remain fixed even across sessions or device restarts.
  3. Point-of-Interest Highlighting
    Emphasizing specific locations for easier discovery in AR.
  4. Predictive Pathing
    Anticipating user routes to pre-render AR guidance.
  5. Pose Estimation
    Detecting a user’s orientation to align AR visuals accordingly.

Q

  1. QR Code Anchors
    Using scannable codes as starting points for AR guidance.
  2. Quick Access Zones
    AR shortcuts for navigating to commonly visited locations.
  3. Quantitative Metrics
    Data-driven insights integrated into AR overlays for decision-making.

R

  1. Real-Time Positioning
    Constantly updating the user’s location for accurate AR guidance.
  2. Route Preview
    An overview of a navigation path displayed in AR before starting.
  3. Route Adjustment
    Updating AR directions in response to user detours or obstacles.
  4. Recalibration
    Realigning AR guidance after losing positional accuracy.
  5. Room-Level Localization
    Pinpointing exact locations within individual rooms for AR use.

S

  1. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM)
    Real-time AR mapping and positioning for dynamic spaces.
  2. Spatial Anchors
    Fixed digital points in 3D space for placing AR content.
  3. Step Detection
    Counting user steps to assist in AR distance measurements.
  4. Semantic Mapping
    Adding meaning to spaces, such as labeling “conference room” or “exit.”
  5. Safe Zones
    Areas designated as secure or obstacle-free in AR navigation.

T

  1. Turn-by-Turn Directions
    Sequential AR guidance for step-by-step navigation.
  2. Target Recognition
    Identifying specific objects or markers for AR-based interactions.
  3. Trajectory Estimation
    Predicting user movement to smooth AR navigation.
  4. Time-Based Routing
    Calculating the fastest AR route based on time-sensitive factors.

U

  1. User-Centric Design
    AR interfaces built to prioritize intuitive user interaction.
  2. Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
    A precise indoor positioning technology supporting AR navigation.
  3. Universal Anchors
    AR markers accessible across devices and platforms.

V

  1. Virtual Signposts
    AR-generated markers mimicking physical signs.
  2. Visual Path Tracking
    Highlighting the route visually in AR with animations or lines.
  3. Virtual Destinations
    Simulated endpoints in AR guiding users in indoor environments.

W

  1. Wi-Fi Positioning
    Leveraging Wi-Fi signals for indoor AR localization.
  2. Waypoint Markers
    Intermediate points guiding users along an AR route.
  3. Wearable AR
    Devices like smart glasses used for hands-free navigation.

X

  1. XR Navigation
    Extended reality applications combining AR and VR for navigation.
  2. Cross-Platform Integration
    Compatibility of AR navigation tools across multiple devices.

Y

  1. Yield Notifications
    AR alerts for yielding to others in crowded spaces.
  2. Yaw Angle Tracking
    Monitoring head rotation for precise AR orientation.

Z

  1. Zone Mapping
    Dividing buildings into navigable sections in AR.
  2. Zoomable Maps
    AR-enabled indoor maps with adjustable scales for detailed navigation.

 


Updated on November 29, 2024 by

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