mixare

Mixare is an open-source augmented reality framework for mobile devices that enables developers to build location-based AR applications by overlaying points of interest onto the device’s camera view.

Overview and architecture: The project provides a cross-platform toolkit with ports for iOS and Android and a modular architecture that separates data access, logic, and rendering. At its core is an engine that fuses sensor data (GPS, compass, accelerometer) and a rendering layer that draws POI markers in the live camera feed. Data sources are pluggable, allowing POIs to be loaded from local files or remote services using standard formats and APIs.

Features and use cases: Mixare supports marker rendering, distance and bearing calculations, category filtering, and a radar or minimap view. It offers customization options for marker appearance and the user interface, and supports multiple POI types. The framework is commonly used to create AR browsers or location-based tours that respond to the user’s position and orientation.

Platform and licensing: Mixare targets mobile platforms, notably iOS and Android, and is released under an open-source license, inviting community contributions and forks.

Development status: Since its inception, mixare has been maintained by a community of volunteers. It contributed to early open-source AR demonstrations and tutorials, though development activity has varied over time as newer AR platforms emerged.

See also: Augmented reality, Open-source software, ARToolkit.