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WebXR Depth API

Category
Device
Type
New or changed feature
Status
Enabled by default (Chrome 90)
Intent stage
Shipped

Summary

The Depth API is an extension to WebXR Device API that allows applications access to depth buffer information that conveys information about the user's environment, with primary focus on Augmented Reality scenarios.

Motivation

By leveraging the depth API, web applications could offer more immersive AR experiences to their users. Example use cases are: - using depth information for physics (balls bouncing off of user's walls, projectiles burst when they hit the environment) - occlusion - virtual objects can appear as hidden behind real world objects Additionally, this helps close the gap between web platform and native APIs / SDKs.

Standards & signals

Docs: https://github.com/bialpio/webxr-depth-api/blob/master/explainer.md

Samples: https://storage.googleapis.com/chromium-webxr-test/latest.html?target=proposals/phone-ar-depth.html https://storage.googleapis.com/chromium-webxr-test/latest.html?target=proposals/phone-ar-depth-gpu.html

Explainers: https://github.com/bialpio/webxr-depth-api/blob/master/explainer.md

View on chromestatus.com