What Are ARCore and ARKit? #
ARCore and ARKit are Google and Apple’s platforms for building augmented reality (AR) experiences that blend virtual content with the real world through your device’s camera. They use motion tracking, environmental understanding, and light estimation to place digital objects in your physical surroundings, creating an immersive experience.
GoodMaps uses AR to help guide you to your destination by combining proprietary GoodMaps algorithms with ARCore and ARKit to understand your environment, position you accurately on the map, and guide you from point A to point B.
When you view your route through the camera and see blue arrows overlaid on the real world, that’s the augmented reality experience in action.
Why Does AR Drain My Battery? #
AR uses a lot of battery because it keeps your camera, sensors, and graphics processors working constantly to track your surroundings and place virtual objects in real time. This heavy, continuous workload can drain the battery quickly and make your device feel warm.
- High processing load: AR continuously analyzes the environment and renders virtual objects, taxing both the CPU and GPU.
- Constant camera and sensor use: The camera, gyroscope, accelerometer, and other sensors stay active to interpret movement and surroundings.
- Screen usage: AR keeps the display on and actively rendering the live camera view plus virtual content.
- Heat: All this work generates heat, and higher temperatures further increase battery drain.
Ways To Optimize Your Battery? #
We have an article with more tips on saving battery, which you can find at this link.
The easiest way to conserve battery is to lower your phone to a horizontal position after you’ve started your route. This reduces processing because AR is no longer constantly analyzing your surroundings. However, you may need to raise your phone occasionally to recalibrate the route if drift occurs.