ARKit Roundup: Tesla Customization, Spatial Audio Recording, and Friend Locator [Updated]

ARKit demos have been popular over the summer, showcasing the features that iOS 11 users will gain on their iPhones once the new software update rolls out worldwide later in September. Today we've rounded up some of the latest tech demos of the software development kit, which you can check out below.

In the first ARKit demo, augmented reality and user experience designer Jelmer Verhoog has created an app that lets users design and customize a Tesla Model 3 car. This extends to the wheels, paint, and interior of the vehicle, and even includes driving controls. While Verhoog's demo is focused on the Model 3, it's easy to imagine other carmakers using Apple's ARKit to help customers when they're on the hunt for a new vehicle.


The next demo, by Zach Lieberman, shows off an interesting use of augmented reality and ARKit -- it allows users to record audio through the app, which is then visually represented by waveforms in an AR space. To play back the audio, users can physically move through it, with the ability to listen to the recorded audio both forwards and backwards. Check out the video below with audio to see Lieberman's demo in action.

An app called "Neon" was showcased recently, and it allows friends to find one another in the midst of overcrowded festivals. The app's Twitter page says it'll be out "this fall," and it appears to use its own social network to add close friends, find them through their own iPhones, and present their location to users as augmented reality chevrons that are easy to track down.


Augmented reality games will likely be a big part of the ARKit app market after the launch of iOS 11, and the developer of the new game Euclidean Lands is already working on an AR version of the puzzler. Since the iOS game's puzzles already float in space within the regular app, the developer has simply translated that concept into the real world with its ARKit demo, allowing players to walk around the puzzle, move characters, and rotate blocks.

Measuring apps continue to be consistently popular in the ARKit demo space, with a new app called MeasureKit having confirmed its launch for later in September alongside iOS 11. MeasureKit includes a bunch of detailed tools, including the ability to measure angles, make sure objects are hanging at the same level, and automatically detect someone's height. Watch a video of MeasureKit on the app's Twitter page here.

For more ARKit demos and roundups, check out our previous coverage in the articles below:

- Major App Developers Show Off ARKit Apps Ahead of iOS 11 Launch
- Latest ARKit Demos Include Sculpting, Food Ordering, Virtual Pets and Zombies
- Latest ARKit Demo Showcases Virtual Cosmetics Boutique
- Latest ARKit Demo Showcases Virtual Drawing
- Apple's ARKit Used to Recreate Classic A-ha 'Take On Me' Video
- ARKit Roundup: Turn-by-Turn Directions, Precise Room Measurements, and Pac-Man

Update: Tenor and digital studio Dift have partnered to create an ARKit-enabled GIF app, where users can place live GIFs in the real world.


Tenor said that its new SDK "is the first to let developers using Apple’s ARKit insert GIFs into AR experiences on iOS devices."

Tag: ARKit
Related Forum: iOS 11

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...

Top Rated Comments

MartinAppleGuy Avatar
108 months ago
God I really hope the Tesla Model 3 one comes out. Only way us on the UK will get to drive it before 2019 haha
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shlooky Avatar
108 months ago
The possibilities are endless!! I am amazed at the concepts that are being designed so far.

Good work!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MRrainer Avatar
108 months ago
That car demo... wow.
We've seen the future of online-shopping.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Art Mark Avatar
108 months ago
The audio in space is really intriguing. Not that I know what exactly to do with it - but I hadn't thought of stuff like that at all.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unami Avatar
108 months ago
wow, the reflections on the tesla look great. and the "neon" app is one of the few examples so far (besides measurekit), that seem to make the awkward experience of up holding your phone as a lens for reality worth it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blacknight10s Avatar
108 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/07/arkit-roundup-tesla-friend-locator/')


ARKit demos have been popular over the summer, showcasing the features that iOS 11 users will gain on their iPhones once the new software update rolls out worldwide later in September ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/06/apple-ios-11-tips-app/'). Today we've rounded up some of the latest tech demos of the software development kit, which you can check out below.

In the first ARKit demo, augmented reality and user experience designer Jelmer Verhoog ('https://twitter.com/jelmerverhoog') has created an app that lets users design and customize a Tesla Model 3 car. This extends to the wheels, paint, and interior of the vehicle, and even includes driving controls. While Verhoog's demo is focused on the Model 3, it's easy to imagine other carmakers using Apple's ARKit to help customers when they're on the hunt for a new vehicle.



The next demo, by Zach Lieberman ('https://twitter.com/zachlieberman'), shows off an interesting use of augmented reality and ARKit -- it allows users to record audio through the app, which is then visually represented by waveforms in an AR space. To play back the audio, users can physically move through it, with the ability to listen to the recorded audio both forwards and backwards. Check out the video below with audio to see Lieberman's demo in action.



An app called "Neon ('https://twitter.com/neonapp')" was showcased recently, and it allows friends to find one another in the midst of overcrowded festivals. The app's Twitter page says it'll be out "this fall," and it appears to use its own social network to add close friends, find them through their own iPhones, and present their location to users as augmented reality chevrons that are easy to track down.



Augmented reality games will likely be a big part of the ARKit app market after the launch of iOS 11, and the developer of the new game Euclidean Lands ('http://appshopper.com/games/euclidean-lands') is already working on an AR version of the puzzler. Since the iOS game's puzzles already float in space within the regular app, the developer has simply translated that concept into the real world with its ARKit demo, allowing players to walk around the puzzle, move characters, and rotate blocks.



Measuring apps continue to be consistently popular in the ARKit demo space, with a new app called MeasureKit ('https://twitter.com/MeasureKit') having confirmed its launch for later in September alongside iOS 11. MeasureKit includes a bunch of detailed tools, including the ability to measure angles, make sure objects are hanging at the same level, and automatically detect someone's height. Watch a video of MeasureKit on the app's Twitter page here ('https://twitter.com/ARKitweekly/status/905747033067270144').

For more ARKit demos and roundups, check out our previous coverage in the articles below:

- Major App Developers Show Off ARKit Apps Ahead of iOS 11 Launch ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/29/big-companies-show-off-arkit-apps/')
- Latest ARKit Demos Include Sculpting, Food Ordering, Virtual Pets and Zombies ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/28/arkit-sculpting-food-virtual-pets-zombies/')
- Latest ARKit Demo Showcases Virtual Cosmetics Boutique ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/23/latest-arkit-demo-shows-virtual-cosmetics-boutique/')
- Latest ARKit Demo Showcases Virtual Drawing ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/09/latest-arkit-demo-showcases-virtual-drawing/')
- Apple's ARKit Used to Recreate Classic A-ha 'Take On Me' Video ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/26/apple-arkit-aha-take-on-me-video/')
- ARKit Roundup: Turn-by-Turn Directions, Precise Room Measurements, and Pac-Man ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/21/arkit-roundup-directions-pac-man/')

Article Link: ARKit Roundup: Tesla Customization, Spatial Audio Recording, and Friend Locator ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/07/arkit-roundup-tesla-friend-locator/')
[doublepost=1504801137][/doublepost]At first I thought magic leap would be the leader in Mixed Reality/AR (or even Microsoft with Hololens), but the fact apple Introduced ARkit it looks like this could be huge and can leverage these apps for future glasses/headsets

Follow @mixed_reality_hub on instagram for updates :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)