Layar Reveals AR Award Shortlist

AR platform provider Layar has announced the finalists for the companys Layar Creation Challenge.

The challenge was set up as part of Layars launch of its Layar Vision platform extension, which allows augmented reality apps on mobile phones to visually search for items based on a pre-loaded database of images. The challenge was designed to encourage developers to start working on the Layar Vision platform, and will reward the 10 best concepts that use it with a total prize fund of $55,000.

Entries were submitted under one of four categories: magazines, books, self-publishing and the special wildcard category.

“We encouraged developers to think big and to come up with creative, smart business ideas with lasting value for both the user and layer publisher,” says Maarten Lens-FitzGerald, Layar co-founder and general manager. “We were very excited to see diversity beyond publishing among the entries, including very strong concepts ranging from creative storytelling to shopping. We believe this shows augmented reality is at the stage where it can add real value to existing businesses.”

The 15 finalists are as follows:

  • ARCards – digital greetings cards
  • AR Posters – A way to enhance poster campaigns with digital promotions
  • Bath Life Magazine – an augmented magazine
  • Buy it! – a way to buy products by scanning barcodes instore
  • Coverstories – An AR book cover concept
  • DIBBS – lets users call dibbs on products for exclusive deals
  • Fan Vision – a sports fans results portal
  • FoldAR – allows users to view 3D models of items in a catalogue
  • Food2You – an online shopping solution
  • LeonARdo – a 3D renderer of Leonardo da Vincis drawings
  • Light Dragons – a storybook game
  • They Live – movie info service
  • visClock – an AR clock
  • Walls360 – an app that lets viewers create interactive art on a wall
  • Who Killed Guido? – an AR crime game

10 winners will be selected by an “expert jury”, according to Layar.