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.

Demos

• 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

Documentation

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

Specification

Specification link

Status: Specification being incubated in a Community Group

Status in Chromium

Blink components: Blink

Implementation status: Enabled by default (tracking bug)

Consensus & Standardization

• Firefox: No signal
• Edge: No signal
• Safari: No signal
• Web Developers: Positive

Owners

• bialpio@chromium.org
• mlamouri@chromium.org

Intent to Prototype url

Last updated on 2021-10-20