ETSI has waded into the murky waters of AR, creating a new Industry Specification Group called Augmented Reality Framework (ISG ARF).

As with most other ETSI working groups, the aim here will be synchronize efforts and identify key use cases and scenarios for developing an AR framework. While working groups at standards bodies are not the most exciting aspect of the industry, it is a crucial one. The group will work to create AR specifications in order to ensure interoperable implementations that will benefit both technology providers and end-users.

“There are huge differences in AR applications but mapping digital information with the real world implies the use of a set of common components offering functionalities such as tracking, registration, pose estimation, localization, 3D reconstruction or data injection,” said b<>com’s Muriel Deschanel, who will act as chair of the group.

“The development of such a framework will allow components from different providers to interoperate through the defined interfaces. This will in turn avoid the creation of vertical siloes and market fragmentation and enable players in the eco-system to offer parts of an overall AR solution.”

Although the first meeting of the group has not taken place yet, Industry 4.0, smart cities and smart homes are three areas which have been prioritized, while an eye will also be cast over applications for mobility, retail, healthcare, education and public safety.

These are all possible ideas, but for any new technology to become a reality, there needs to be a solid business case for the guys at the top of the value chain. And to do that, a transparent and reliable interworking between different AR components is key; in short, interoperability is good. ETSI is the enemy of vendor lock-in situations, and this is just the first step to bringing the technology under its protective wing.