What is the difference between a QR Code and an AR Code?
QR Code Tech | 05/06/2025 |
QR Codes were launched in the early 2000s, gaining global traction over time. They serve diverse functions like payments, information access, and event entry.
The Evolution of the QR Code
Developed by Japanese engineer Masahiro Hara of Denso Wave in 1999, the QR Code originated as an industrial tool for automotive equipment. Denso Wave enabled public access through licensing while maintaining open patent rights.
As QR Codes gained traction in Japan, early 2000s Japanese mobile phones featured scanners. This trend soon spread to other Asian countries.
QR Codes grew prominent in Europe and the US alongside smartphones and barcode scanning apps.
Currently, most smartphone OS includes QR Code reading. For example, Apple's iOS and iPadOS offer a dedicated scanning button.
While QR Codes recently rose to fame in the West, Asia used them longer. Initially used for web access in the US and Europe, Asian countries employed them for storing consumer data and maintaining industrial gear.
Today, QR Code use is expanding in the West, while in Asia, they're used for shopping, social media, and augmented reality experiences.
From the QR Code to the AR Code
In the past decade, the evolution of QR Codes paralleled tech advancements, morphing into a versatile optical recognition tool suitable for new digital applications.
"QR Code" stands for Quick Response Code. Initially industrial, it birthed systems like bcode, BEEtag, Aztec Code, Data Matrix, EZcode, Snapchat's Snapcode, and Apple's App Clips Code.
During web 1.0, QR Codes pointed to simple sites. In the social and e-commerce era, they facilitate data and payments. In the future, AR Codes will unlock augmented reality experiences.
AR Codes are essentially QR Codes designed to anchor augmented reality experiences.
Apple is rumored to introduce the "Apple Vision Code" with the Apple Vision headset. Currently, "App Clips Codes" enable downloading mini-applications.
What's Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality integrates optical processes and spatial computing to overlay virtual elements with immersive audio, enhancing the user view.
Key concepts of augmented reality include:
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AR Device: Over 2 billion AR-supported smartphones exist today, with AR glasses soon to hit mass markets. Companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook spearhead AR efforts, with Apple advancing ARKit and Facebook focusing on a metaverse.
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AR Content: From daily games to photo/video filters, AR content grows. Future interfaces for computers and theaters will leverage AR, reshaping social dynamics. Microsoft's Hololens 2 demonstrates AR's social potential.
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AR Render: Tech giants vie for AR leadership. While many operate on proprietary platforms, WebAR remains open source. AR.js works on major browsers, with advanced rendering on premium smartphones. Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore dominate, reaching nearly a billion devices.
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AR Anchoring: Anchor AR experiences via various methods:
- Direct Environment Anchoring: AR displays in user vicinity, similar to AR games.
- Geolocation Anchoring: AR content activation at specific city spots.
- Object Recognition Anchoring: Identifies objects, buildings, or faces using WebAR for AR displays.
- Ultra-wideband Anchoring: Future AR by Apple's AirTag.
- AR Codes Anchoring: Transformed QR Codes as AR Codes anchor experiences on consumer products, cards, storefronts, etc.
AR Code leverages AR anchoring, content, and rendering. An AR device scan leads users to specific content hosted on AR Cloud servers or third-party platforms.
Engage Your Audience with AR Codes
AR Codes bridge physical and digital realms, engaging audiences innovatively. By creating immersive experiences, businesses capture interest and convey information effectively. Envision a product package with a scannable AR Code revealing a 3D model, tutorial video, or virtual demo. This approach boosts user engagement and fosters conversion. Using features like 3D Files Upload, Object Capture, AR Face Filter, and AR Video, brands can craft tailored AR content.
AR Code SaaS: Explore 4 AR Renderings
Immersive AR: Projects AR experiences into environments, featuring 3D objects and animations.
Face Filters AR: Delivers AR face filters made on the AR Code platform, integrating images or logos.
Flying Over AR: Floats videos, 3D models, or data above AR QR Codes. Edit text remotely via our interface or the API.
AI Assistance AR: AI Code; prompts photos analyzed by AI for tailored feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are QR codes and how did they originate?
QR codes are advanced barcodes that store extensive data in compact spaces. Engineer Masahiro Hara invented them in 1999 at Denso Wave, a Japanese automotive industry equipment firm. Initially for industrial use, they later became publicly accessible through licensing.
What are App Clips Codes?
Apple's App Clips Codes represent a unique QR code form linked to small apps, accessible via code scanning. These support various mini-apps, integrating augmented reality experiences.
What are AR Codes and how do they relate to QR Codes?
AR Codes represent QR Codes designed for augmented reality experiences. Although QR Codes support data exchange and payment, AR Codes expand this to include augmented reality experiences in the future.
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