SARA: Augmented Reality Architecture

January 14th, 2010 | Posted in: technology

Augmented Reality is becoming bigger and bigger. After introducing you Layar earlier (and the issues it brings with it) and Zugara, my latest find, SARA, shouldn’t be missed either.

SARA was created by the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi) in partnership with IN10 Communicatie and Layar, is the world’s first mobile architecture application featuring augmented reality with 3D models.  Simply hold up your smartphone to see photos, video, 3D models, scale models and other details about buildings, whether already there gone or planned to be there.  The app currently only shows the new Market Hall in Rotterdam’s Blaak district. Although it’s still under construction, those with the app can view a 3D model of the finished building.

SARA also allows users to add their own information about any building or map tours of their favourite architecture. Beginning next month, the entire city of Rotterdam will be viewable through SARA; within five years, NAi expects the whole country to be covered. The technology was launched last month on the Layar platform and will be downloadable from the Apple App Store and Android Market beginning next month.

Amazing isn’t it? I hope they can get enough data to fill the app to an interesting level which I think is critical for app’s like these. But compliments for pushing the boundaries!

Through: Springwise