Vuforia

Vuforia is an augmented reality (AR) platform and software development kit (SDK) used to create AR experiences for mobile devices and other deployable hardware. It originated at Qualcomm as QCAR (Qualcomm Image-based AR) and was renamed Vuforia before being acquired by PTC in the mid- to late 2010s. Under PTC, Vuforia Engine became the core AR development platform, supporting developers across industries.

The platform provides a range of tracking capabilities and targets, including image targets, 3D model targets, and multi-targets, as well as markerless options such as ground plane and surface tracking. It supports virtual buttons, text recognition, and, through optional services, cloud recognition for identifying real-world images via a cloud-based target database. Vuforia integrates with popular development environments, notably Unity, and offers native SDKs for Android and iOS, enabling cross-platform deployment. Features are organized around a Target Manager for managing assets, and a development workflow that emphasizes rapid prototyping and enterprise use.

Vuforia is widely used in education, marketing, manufacturing, and maintenance to overlay digital content onto physical objects—demonstrating products, assisting with assembly, or providing training and remote guidance. Licensing includes a free developer option and paid tiers for commercial and enterprise use, with advanced features such as expanded tracking and cloud-based targets available in higher tiers. In addition to the core engine, PTC has expanded offerings with modules like Vuforia Studio for AR content authoring and Vuforia Chalk for remote assistance.