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!
A
- Augmented Reality (AR)
Overlaying virtual content onto the physical world using digital devices.
- Anchor Point
A fixed virtual reference in the real world to align AR content.
- Asset Tracking
Real-time monitoring of objects within an indoor AR system.
- ARCore
Google’s toolkit for developing AR applications.
- ARKit
Apple’s AR development platform for precise mapping and interactions.
- Artificial Landmarks
Virtual markers created to aid navigation where real-world anchors are insufficient.
- Area Mapping
Digitally scanning and defining an indoor space for AR overlays.
- Augmented Signage
Enhancing physical signs with AR-based interactive elements.
B
- Beacon Technology
Wireless devices emitting signals for indoor positioning in AR systems.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
A protocol used for precise indoor positioning in AR wayfinding.
- Bread Crumb Trail
A visualized path showing where the user has traveled in AR.
- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Digital 3D building models used for AR-enhanced navigation.
- Boundary Detection
Recognizing physical barriers like walls to confine AR guidance.
- Background Mapping
Using preloaded maps to provide navigation in areas with no real-time scanning.
- Building Metadata
Integrated digital data about a building, such as room names and purposes, for AR use.
- Bluetooth Beacons
Compact transmitters supporting indoor location services in AR systems.
C
- Camera Pose Estimation
Calculating a device's position and orientation for AR accuracy.
- Cloud Anchors
AR markers stored online for collaborative or multi-user navigation.
- Crowd Density Mapping
Visualizing busy areas using AR overlays.
- Compass Calibration
Ensuring accurate device orientation for AR directions indoors.
- Collision Detection
AR systems identifying potential obstacles in navigation paths.
- Customizable Routes
Personalized navigation tailored to user preferences in AR apps.
- Contextual Overlays
Real-time, AR-displayed information about the user’s surroundings.
- Computer Vision
Technology enabling AR systems to analyze and interpret real-world visuals.
D
- Digital Floor Plans
Indoor maps digitized for AR navigation and wayfinding.
- Dynamic Navigation
Adjusting AR routes in real-time based on movement or changes in the environment.
- Depth Sensing
Measuring distances to objects for accurate AR alignment.
- Directional Arrows
Virtual indicators showing the correct path in AR.
- Dead Reckoning
Tracking movement based on internal sensors when GPS or beacons are unavailable.
- Dynamic Content
Changing AR overlays to reflect real-time updates or events.
- Data Persistence
Ensuring virtual content stays anchored over time.
- Disambiguation Zones
Specific areas where AR resolves potential directional confusion.
E
- Environmental Mapping
Digitally scanning indoor areas for AR applications.
- Edge Computing
Processing AR data locally for faster responses and interactions.
- Elevator Guidance
AR instructions for navigating elevators in multi-floor buildings.
- Emergency Routing
AR-guided evacuation paths for safe indoor navigation during emergencies.
- End-Point Markers
Virtual indicators marking a user’s destination in AR.
- Entry Detection
Recognizing entrances to buildings or rooms in AR systems.
- Experience Zones
Indoor areas enhanced with immersive AR features.
- Error Correction
Automated adjustments in AR to account for positional inaccuracies.
F
- Fixed Markers
Stationary objects or tags used as AR reference points.
- Fiducial Markers
Visual symbols recognized by AR systems for anchoring content.
- Floor Transition Guidance
AR instructions for moving between levels in a multi-story space.
- Feature Tracking
Monitoring environmental points for accurate AR positioning.
- Free Roam Mode
An AR navigation mode that allows unstructured exploration.
- Facility Zones
Segmented areas, like restrooms or offices, tagged in AR.
- Flexible Routing
Dynamic AR pathways that adapt to user preferences.
- Feedback Loops
System refinements based on user interaction and input in AR.
G
- Geofencing Indoors
Creating virtual boundaries for specific AR navigation areas.
- Graphical Overlays
Visual elements added to real-world views in AR systems.
- Gesture Controls
Using hand motions to interact with AR wayfinding interfaces.
- Goal-Directed Navigation
AR systems designed to efficiently guide users to a specific target.
- Group Navigation
Coordinating AR routes for multiple users traveling together.
- Grid-Based Mapping
Dividing spaces into grids to simplify AR localization.
- Guidance Icons
Symbols, such as arrows or dots, that provide AR navigation cues.
- Global Anchors
Shared AR reference points accessible to multiple users.
H
- Hybrid Navigation
Combining AR and physical signs for comprehensive guidance.
- Heat Maps
AR displays showing areas of high activity or density.
- Head-Up Display (HUD)
AR projections directly into the user’s field of view.
- Haptic Feedback
Tactile vibrations or responses enhancing AR navigation.
- Hierarchical Maps
Organized maps of multi-level buildings for AR wayfinding.
- Human Pose Estimation
Tracking user movements to improve AR navigation interaction.
- Hands-Free Navigation
AR systems operated via voice or gaze instead of touch.
- High-Precision Localization
Achieving near-perfect accuracy in AR positioning.
I
- Indoor Positioning System (IPS)
Technology enabling accurate indoor navigation for AR.
- Image Recognition
Identifying physical features for precise AR alignment.
- Interactive Landmarks
AR-marked points of interest offering detailed information.
- Immersive Directions
3D arrows or graphics guiding users through indoor spaces.
- Instant Relocation
Rapidly recalibrating user position in AR after significant movement.
- Integrated Mapping
Combining multiple data sources for enhanced AR navigation.
- Indoor Atlas
Digital maps tailored specifically for indoor AR navigation.
- Indoor SLAM
(Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) A technique for real-time AR navigation.
J
- Journey History
A record of previously traveled routes shown in AR for reference.
- Just-In-Time Alerts
Notifications provided precisely when needed in AR navigation.
- Junction Points
Areas where paths intersect, marked for clarity in AR.
- Jobsite Navigation
AR-guided pathways for complex industrial or construction sites.
- Jump-to-Zone
Instantly skipping to specific areas of interest in AR navigation.
- Joint Tracking
Monitoring user limb movements for enhanced AR interaction.
K
- Keyframe Mapping
Using specific visual snapshots as anchors for AR localization.
- Key Landmarks
Prominent features highlighted for easier navigation in AR systems.
- Knowledge Layer
Embedding information into AR overlays for user learning.
- Keyboard-Free Navigation
Enabling interaction with AR without physical input devices.
L
- Landmark-Based Navigation
Using real-world or virtual landmarks for routing in AR.
- Localization
Determining a user’s precise position within a mapped space for AR.
- Lighting Adjustments
Modifying AR content for optimal visibility under various indoor conditions.
- Location Anchors
Fixed reference points used to position AR overlays consistently.
- Low Latency Rendering
Ensuring AR visuals update rapidly to match real-time movements.
- Line-of-Sight Navigation
Directing users with AR paths visible in their current view.
M
- Motion Tracking
Following user movements to update AR positioning dynamically.
- Mesh Mapping
Creating 3D meshes of indoor spaces for AR navigation.
- Markerless AR
AR systems that rely on natural features instead of predefined markers.
- Multi-Level Navigation
Providing AR guidance for navigating between different floors.
- Mapping Accuracy
The precision of AR-generated indoor maps for reliable navigation.
- Magnetic Positioning
Using magnetic field variations to improve AR localization indoors.
- Minimalist Overlays
Simple AR visuals for a distraction-free navigation experience.
N
- Natural Feature Tracking
Using environmental details, like corners and textures, to stabilize AR.
- Navigation Nodes
Key points that link segments of an AR navigation path.
- Near-Field Interactions
Close-range AR cues for tasks like opening doors or checking displays.
- Noise Reduction
Filtering out irrelevant data for cleaner AR navigation visuals.
O
- Object Detection
Recognizing objects in the environment for interactive AR guidance.
- Offline Navigation
AR-based guidance without requiring a continuous internet connection.
- Obstacle Avoidance
Dynamically rerouting AR paths to bypass barriers.
- Onboarding Cues
Initial AR prompts to familiarize users with navigation systems.
P
- Path Optimization
Finding the shortest or most efficient routes using AR.
- Persistent AR Content
AR overlays that remain fixed even across sessions or device restarts.
- Point-of-Interest Highlighting
Emphasizing specific locations for easier discovery in AR.
- Predictive Pathing
Anticipating user routes to pre-render AR guidance.
- Pose Estimation
Detecting a user’s orientation to align AR visuals accordingly.
Q
- QR Code Anchors
Using scannable codes as starting points for AR guidance.
- Quick Access Zones
AR shortcuts for navigating to commonly visited locations.
- Quantitative Metrics
Data-driven insights integrated into AR overlays for decision-making.
R
- Real-Time Positioning
Constantly updating the user’s location for accurate AR guidance.
- Route Preview
An overview of a navigation path displayed in AR before starting.
- Route Adjustment
Updating AR directions in response to user detours or obstacles.
- Recalibration
Realigning AR guidance after losing positional accuracy.
- Room-Level Localization
Pinpointing exact locations within individual rooms for AR use.
S
- Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM)
Real-time AR mapping and positioning for dynamic spaces.
- Spatial Anchors
Fixed digital points in 3D space for placing AR content.
- Step Detection
Counting user steps to assist in AR distance measurements.
- Semantic Mapping
Adding meaning to spaces, such as labeling “conference room” or “exit.”
- Safe Zones
Areas designated as secure or obstacle-free in AR navigation.
T
- Turn-by-Turn Directions
Sequential AR guidance for step-by-step navigation.
- Target Recognition
Identifying specific objects or markers for AR-based interactions.
- Trajectory Estimation
Predicting user movement to smooth AR navigation.
- Time-Based Routing
Calculating the fastest AR route based on time-sensitive factors.
U
- User-Centric Design
AR interfaces built to prioritize intuitive user interaction.
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
A precise indoor positioning technology supporting AR navigation.
- Universal Anchors
AR markers accessible across devices and platforms.
V
- Virtual Signposts
AR-generated markers mimicking physical signs.
- Visual Path Tracking
Highlighting the route visually in AR with animations or lines.
- Virtual Destinations
Simulated endpoints in AR guiding users in indoor environments.
W
- Wi-Fi Positioning
Leveraging Wi-Fi signals for indoor AR localization.
- Waypoint Markers
Intermediate points guiding users along an AR route.
- Wearable AR
Devices like smart glasses used for hands-free navigation.
X
- XR Navigation
Extended reality applications combining AR and VR for navigation.
- Cross-Platform Integration
Compatibility of AR navigation tools across multiple devices.
Y
- Yield Notifications
AR alerts for yielding to others in crowded spaces.
- Yaw Angle Tracking
Monitoring head rotation for precise AR orientation.
Z
- Zone Mapping
Dividing buildings into navigable sections in AR.
- Zoomable Maps
AR-enabled indoor maps with adjustable scales for detailed navigation.