# Platforms (Hardware)

## Overview

There are two types of platforms that you can use to access the AR technology and develop content: handheld devices such as mobile phones or [Microsoft Hololens](/next-lab/augmented-reality/resources/platforms-hardware/microsoft-hololens.md)  headsets. The Next Lab has several Hololens headsets available for loan through RefTab (students need to undertake a Mixed Reality Induction prior to loaning out this equipment). 

Using software such as [Unity and Unreal](https://app.gitbook.com/@msd-makerspaces/s/next-lab/~/drafts/-M8DVJZFirWdRBR-baN3/augmented-reality/unity-and-vuforia) using the [Vuforia](https://app.gitbook.com/@msd-makerspaces/s/next-lab/~/drafts/-M8DVJZFirWdRBR-baN3/augmented-reality/unity-and-vuforia) AR Engine, AR applications can also be developed for iOS and Android.

These different platforms have different intended uses, as well as different limits in their compatibility and requirements. They also have different inherent functionality, advantages, disadvantages. 

Most students will loan out a Microsoft HoloLens in order to use [Fologram](https://fologram.com/).

### Available platforms:

| Hardware     | Software                                                     | Primary Intended Use                                                                                                                                                                             |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **HoloLens** | <p>Fologram for Rhino</p><p><br>Fologram for Grasshopper</p> | <p> • Viewing Rhino geometry in AR<br> • Mapping and Designing using Tracking Components in AR</p><p> • Fabricating Rhino and Grasshopper Geometries without the need for plans and sections</p> |
|              | Vuforia                                                      | • AR content creation                                                                                                                                                                            |
|              |                                                              |                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **Mobile**   | Fologram for Mobile                                          | <p> • Viewing Rhino geometry in AR</p><p> • Fabricating Rhino and Grasshopper Geometries without the need for plans and sections</p>                                                             |
|              | Vuforia                                                      | • AR content creation                                                                                                                                                                            |

## Articles in this section:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LXv-JNgCoEgIvABtByz" %}
[Microsoft Hololens](/next-lab/augmented-reality/resources/platforms-hardware/microsoft-hololens.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LXv-LySmM9M2bZzKQGu" %}
[Mobile](/next-lab/augmented-reality/resources/platforms-hardware/mobile.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LXv-nS-gTe4urcmqVhN" %}
[Software Packages](/next-lab/augmented-reality/resources/unity-and-vuforia.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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