What Open AR Cloud does

Open AR Cloud Association is a volunteer-run, nonprofit association founded in 2018 that develops open and interoperable standards and reference implementations for spatial computing. Its core technology is the Open Spatial Computing Platform (OSCP), a layered architecture comprising Spatial Service Discovery, the GeoPose Protocol for 6DoF positioning, Spatial Content Discovery, Reality Modeling (supporting BIM/IFC/Revit, GIS/CityGML/3D Tiles, USD, glTF, FBX, and IoT via SensorThings API), and edge-optimized 5G cloud rendering. The platform is built on ratified OGC standards (GeoPose 1.0, POI Conceptual Model) and W3C Immersive Web standards, with all services designed to run on decentralized edge infrastructure rather than centralized clouds to ensure data sovereignty and low latency.

The organization distributes its technology entirely as open source under permissive licenses (MIT, Apache 2.0, CC0) via GitHub, with reference clients including the spARcl WebXR spatial browser and a Unity SDK. Major technical initiatives include OpenVPS, an open-source Visual Positioning System built with Nokia Bell Labs for camera-based 6DoF localization, and SpatialDDS, a protocol for spatial data discovery, distribution, and synchronization. The association is funded through member dues, corporate sponsorships, and research grants (notably NGI Atlantic and NGI Search), with no venture capital or corporate control; it reports 300+ members from academia, industry, and government, 60+ partner organizations, 4 active city/university testbeds, and 15+ open source projects, and operates across North America, Northern Europe (Finland, Norway, Latvia), Southern Europe (Italy), and Eastern Europe (Turkey).

Name

Open AR Cloud

Legal name

Open AR Cloud Association

Website

https://openarcloud.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Open AR Cloud Association is a volunteer-run nonprofit founded in 2018 that develops open-source spatial computing standards and reference implementations, including the OSCP platform, OpenVPS visual positioning, and the GeoPose protocol, serving developers, academic institutions, cities, and AR/XR partners globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spatial Computing Platform

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (51929)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Cloud Platforms (On‑Prem Cloud Stacks) (HDABABAA)

Keywords

• Open spatial computing
• AR cloud standards
• Visual positioning system
• GeoPose protocol
• Interoperable AR platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Sponsorships: Open AR Cloud Association is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization funded primarily through member dues and corporate sponsorships. No venture capital or corporate control.
2. Research Grants: Funded by public research grants including NGI Atlantic and NGI Search for development of OpenVPS and related OSCP components.
3. Community Contributions: Community contributions from members and partners support ongoing development and maintenance of open source implementations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Open AR Cloud Association develops and maintains the Open Spatial Computing Platform (OSCP), an open-source, standards-based architecture for spatially-anchored augmented reality. The platform provides protocols and reference implementations for 6DoF positioning (GeoPose), camera-based visual positioning (OpenVPS), spatial service discovery, spatial content discovery, and reality modeling. All components are released as open source under permissive licenses for academic and commercial use.

Product overview

Open AR Cloud offers the Open Spatial Computing Platform (OSCP), an open-source, standards-based architecture for spatial computing applications. The platform consists of core protocols and services including OpenVPS (camera-based visual positioning), SpatialDDS (data discovery/distribution/synchronization), GeoPose Protocol (6DoF positioning), Spatial Service Discovery, Spatial Content Discovery, and Reality Modeling. Reference implementations include the spARcl WebXR spatial browser and Unity client SDK. All services are designed for edge deployment and operate without centralized cloud dependencies, enabling decentralized spatial computing across XR headsets, mobile platforms, web browsers, and robotics systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Spatial Computing Platform (OSCP) Comprehensive open-source, standards-based architecture for building spatially-aware applications that blend physical and digital worlds. Built on OGC GeoPose and OGC POI standards, designed for edge deployment, supporting XR headsets, mobile platforms, robotics, and web browsers.
• OpenVPS (Open Visual Positioning System) Open-source Visual Positioning Service reference implementation providing camera-based 6DoF localization without vendor lock-in. Maps, imagery, and query data stay on user-controlled infrastructure, addressing privacy and data sovereignty concerns.
• SpatialDDS Protocol specification defining how spatial data is discovered, distributed, and synchronized across devices and services for real-world spatial computing applications.
• GeoPose Protocol Open standard for representing position and orientation in space, providing 6DoF positioning using the WGS84 coordinate system and quaternion-based orientation with timestamp synchronization. Co-developed with OGC.
• spARcl Spatial Browser Open-source WebXR spatial browser and reference client demonstrating geometry primitives, 3D models, points of interest, context-aware content, and robot geopose streams. Built as one of the first open-source web-based AR browsers to integrate with OSCP.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 active testbeds deployed across cities and universities validating real-world OSCP deployments
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, featured, current and minor.

• Nokia Bell LabscoreTechnology or IntegrationNokia Bell Labs built the OpenVPS (Open Visual Positioning System) stack for Open AR Cloud Europe, including MapBuilder, MapAligner, MapLocalizer, and the GeoPoseProtocol compliance layer. Dr. Gabor Soros, Senior Research Scientist at Nokia Bell Labs, serves as technical architect.
• Metaverse Standards ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry consortium fostering interoperability standards for an open metaverse. Open AR Cloud is a member, with James Jackson serving as Co-Chair of the Real/Virtual World Integration Working Group.
• Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping geospatial interoperability standards for AR location consistency. OGC has released GeoPose 1.0 and POI Conceptual Model standards which are foundational to OSCP. Jan-Erik Vinje serves as Co-Chair of the GeoPose Standards Working Group.
• Augmented.CitycoreTechnology or IntegrationAR company focused on spatial computing. Augmented.City provides OGC/OSCP GeoPose-compliant VPS services for the testbed program. Its VPS is used in interoperability demonstrations alongside MyGeoVerse and spARcl.
• XR MasterscoreTechnology or IntegrationU.S.-based XR technology firm behind MyGeoVerse, a platform for publishing spatial content in compliance with OGC and OSCP standards. Ali C. Hantal serves as Co-President of Open AR Cloud and Chief Adoption Officer for the GeoPose SWG at OGC.
• Ethar IncorporatedfeaturedTechnology or IntegrationEnsures interoperability in geospatial mapping and AR content discovery. Ethar spatial browser participates in interoperability demonstrations alongside MyGeoVerse and spARcl.
• IFE - Institute for Energy TechnologyfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute supporting open standards for safety-critical AR applications. Michael N. Louka serves as Director, Head of Department of VR/AR at IFE Digital Systems, and Director on the Open AR Cloud board.
• MyGeoversefeaturedTechnology or IntegrationBuilding the infrastructure for location-based spatial computing experiences. MyGeoVerse is a spatial content publisher and mobile spatial browser app provider compliant with OGC/OSCP GeoPose standards.
• ImmersalcurrentTechnology or IntegrationAdvocates for interoperable, open standards in global AR cloud development. Immersal's VPS solution was demonstrated alongside Augmented City and OpenVPS at the UbiComp ISWC 2025 tutorial for cross-provider interoperability.
• OSGeo (Open Source Geospatial Foundation)currentStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting open standards and formats for inclusive mapping community. OSGeo aligns with OSCP's open-source approach for geospatial interoperability.
• University of PatrascurrentStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing mixed reality standards via 5G/6G infrastructure facilities. Professor Spyros Denazis represents the university as a partner.
• AWE (Augmented World Expo)featuredGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading conference and community for AR industry professionals. Ori Inbar, Co-founder of AWE, serves as Founding Honorary Board Member of Open AR Cloud.
• AugmentedReality.orgcurrentStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit promoting ethical, open AR cloud architecture. Aligns with Open AR Cloud's mission for open and interoperable spatial computing.
• UMI3D ConsortiumcurrentStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreating open communication standards for real-time XR collaboration. Aligns with OSCP's open standards approach for spatial computing.
• VERSEScurrentStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting vital interoperability standards for mixed reality and spatial web. Steven Swanson serves as Co-Founder and Director of Partnerships.
• Norwegian Mapping AuthoritycurrentTechnology or IntegrationContributing to AR ecosystem development benefiting all users through geospatial data expertise. Tore Abelvik serves as Section Manager, Mapping.
• WemapcurrentTechnology or IntegrationBuilding OpenStreetMap-based client sharing openness and community principles. Thibaud Michel serves as Lead AR scientist.
• Super VenturescurrentStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment firm supporting AR technology development. Ori Inbar, founder of Super Ventures, serves as Founding Honorary Board Member of Open AR Cloud.
• Halden MunicipalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with IFE, XR Masters, OnSiteViewer, and Augmented City on AR wayfinding for people with varying sight and mobility needs at Halden City Hall, testing indoor and outdoor OSCP GeoPose-compliant VPS.
• Aalto UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the UbiComp ISWC 2025 tutorial for building interoperable location-based AR with Open AR Cloud at its Helsinki campus, featuring demonstrations with Augmented City, Immersal, and XR Masters.
• Riga Technical UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from Riga Technical University created 3D artwork for an AR Cloud-enabled activation at 5G Techritory in Riga, Latvia, powered by Augmented City's VPS and MyGeoVerse.
• FMV Işık SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame the first High School Testbed Partner of Open AR Cloud in Turkey. Students learned to scan environments for Augmented City's VPS and placed 3D artwork via XR Masters' platform for a hybrid art exhibit.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Khronos Group: Khronos is an open-standards consortium for graphics, compute, and immersive APIs (glTF, OpenXR, Vulkan). Open AR Cloud's Reality Modeling Service natively supports glTF, and both organizations coordinate open spatial/3D standards with permissive licensing and royalty-free specifications.
• OSGeo (Open Source Geospatial Foundation): OSGeo is a nonprofit foundation supporting open-source geospatial software. Both organizations share an open-source, open-standards ethos, and Open AR Cloud lists OSGeo as a current partner; their missions overlap in promoting open geospatial interoperability for mapping and spatial data.
• Metaverse Standards Forum: MSF is a consortium fostering interoperability standards for the open metaverse, of which Open AR Cloud is an active member and working-group co-chair. Both organizations operate as volunteer-run, member-driven conveners for open spatial/immersive standards without a commercial product offering.
• UMI3D Consortium: UMI3D is a French consortium creating open communication standards for real-time XR collaboration. Both are nonprofit, member-driven, standards-focused organizations addressing adjacent layers of the open spatial web — UMI3D for collaborative XR transport and OSCP for spatial anchoring and discovery.
• AREA (Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance): AREA is a nonprofit membership organization promoting the adoption of enterprise AR. Christine Perey serves on both AREA's board and Open AR Cloud's founding board, and both organizations address AR adoption barriers through standards advocacy and education.
• Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC): OGC is the international geospatial standards body that Open AR Cloud relies on and whose working groups it co-chairs. Both organizations drive open interoperability standards, and OGC's GeoPose 1.0 and POI Conceptual Model are foundational to OSCP — making OGC the closest peer in mission and operating model.

Emerging players

• Wemap: Wemap is an AR/location-based experience platform built on OpenStreetMap principles, listed as a current partner of Open AR Cloud. Both share an openness-first ethos around spatial content and AR location services, with Wemap operating a commercial platform aligned with OSCP standards.
• Immersal: Immersal provides a commercial Visual Positioning Service (VPS) for AR. Immersal is listed as an Open AR Cloud partner and participated in the UbiComp ISWC 2025 interoperability demonstration alongside Augmented City and OpenVPS, making it a directly comparable VPS provider operating in the same standards-driven spatial computing category.
• Augmented.City: Augmented.City is an AR company providing GeoPose-compliant VPS services and is a core partner of Open AR Cloud's testbed program. It is a directly comparable VPS provider demonstrating interoperability through OSCP while operating a commercial service.

Broad incumbents

• W3C (World Wide Web Consortium): W3C is the primary international standards organization for the World Wide Web, including the Immersive Web standards that OSCP builds on. Both organizations drive open, royalty-free web/spatial standards through member-driven processes, and Open AR Cloud participates in W3C Immersive Web Face-to-Face events.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/openarcloud
• GitHubgithub.com/OpenARCloud
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@openarcloud
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/openarcloud

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Open AR Cloud