Still at the early stages when it comes to SLAM technology in AR (Augmented Reality) game industry; where SLAM eliminates the need for any printed visual markers and enables users to accurately position their mobile device in a 3D space and overlay computer data.
For those who are unfamiliar, Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)
is an important autonomous mapping and navigation technique in mobile robotics.
Initially used as "eyes" for NASA robots, SLAM can create maps of
unknown environments and position devices with extreme accuracy.
One can observe that, Stockholm, Sweden-based 13th Lab, recently
acquired by US-based Oculus, released an AR game titled ‘Ball Invasion’ that
uses SLAM technology. If a user is playing an AR game, the app is aware of its
surroundings.
According to
Technavio, SLAM is an ideal technology for AR as it gives a
markerless experience compared to marker-based AR, in which images need to be
printed out. The firm also expects the US to be the top market for SLAM
technology in the initial stages.