Snapchat Celebrates AR Day in India with 50% Growth in AR Developer Community and Launch of 5th Gen Spectacles

Snap Inc. hosted its second annual India AR Day event in Mumbai on Tuesday, a momentous occasion where the company celebrated India's impressive growth in the field of augmented reality (AR). The event highlighted significant advancements in AR technology and showcased how India is becoming a powerhouse in the global AR ecosystem.

Notably, India now leads the world in publishing the highest number of AR lenses on Snapchat. In the past two years alone, the Indian AR developer community has expanded by more than 50%, demonstrating the country’s vital role in driving innovation within the AR space.

India’s AR Developer Community Sees 50% Growth

Bobby Murphy, the Chief Technology Officer at Snap Inc., acknowledged the innovative contributions of Indian developers. "Indian developers are at the forefront of innovation, bringing engaging and creative experiences to life. In fact, among all countries, the highest number of lenses published on Snapchat comes from India," Murphy emphasized.

With more than 200 million Snapchat users in India engaging with AR lenses over 80 billion times monthly, the growing importance of AR in communication and content sharing is undeniable. This milestone showcases how integral AR is in India’s digital ecosystem.

Snap's New Spectacles: Revolutionizing AR Glasses

The event also featured Snap’s latest breakthrough, the fifth-generation Spectacles, which were designed to elevate the AR experience. These see-through AR glasses are powered by the new Snap OS, offering a seamless and immersive AR experience. Equipped with a built-in dimmer for both indoor and outdoor environments, the Spectacles also provide intuitive interaction through voice and gesture controls, making it easier for users to engage with AR content.

Hands-On AR Demonstrations at the Mumbai Event

The Mumbai event allowed participants to explore the power of AR firsthand. Through interactive demonstrations and the "Any Body Can Develop" experience, attendees had the opportunity to experiment with creating their own AR lenses. Snap’s commitment to empowering creators and developers was evident as Snap introduced new tools designed to fuel further creativity and innovation in India’s AR community.

Snap Inc. Highlights India’s Dominance in AR Lens Creation

India’s leadership in AR lens creation is a remarkable achievement. As Snap's data reveals, India now consistently leads the world in the number of AR lenses published on Snapchat. This milestone reflects the country’s growing influence on the global AR scene. Snap’s deep engagement with the Indian community is a critical part of the company's strategy to expand its AR presence and foster innovation in the region.

“Any Body Can Develop” Experience Empowers Creators

In line with its mission to foster innovation, Snap launched the “Any Body Can Develop” initiative, which encourages creators and developers to try their hand at designing AR lenses. This experience provides users with the tools to bring their unique AR creations to life, further fueling the growing interest and talent within India’s AR space.

Educational Partnerships and Local Initiatives Expand AR Talent Pool

Snap’s commitment to India’s AR future goes beyond the developer community. In 2024, Snap hosted more than 120 meet-ups in cities such as Surat, Coimbatore, Rajkot, Trichy, Trivandrum, and Gwalior, engaging over 6,000 AR developers. Furthermore, Snap has partnered with esteemed educational institutions such as K.J. Somaiya in Mumbai, Pearl Academy in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, and Loyola College in Chennai. These partnerships aim to equip students with the digital creative skills necessary for success in the world of AR.

India Lens Awards Recognizes Innovative AR Lens Creations

A highlight of the event was the introduction of the India Lens Awards, an annual competition recognizing the best AR lens creations across five categories. Among the winners were Pratyush Gupta for Best Viral Lens with his “Perfect Pitch Game” and Krunal MB Gediya for Best Game with “Diwali Game.” These awards celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of India’s AR community, motivating developers to push boundaries and create captivating experiences.

Snap’s Commercial AR Initiatives Support Brand Advertising

Snap’s involvement in commercial AR initiatives was also showcased at the event. Brands are increasingly turning to Snap’s platform to reach audiences in innovative ways, particularly through sponsored AR lenses and advertisements. Persica Picardo, co-founder of XRFX Studio, shared her success story of utilizing Snap’s Lens Studio to develop custom AR effects for leading brands like Coca-Cola, Google, and Amazon Prime Video. Her company’s success, reaching a $100,000 revenue milestone, highlights the immense commercial potential of AR applications in India and globally.

Conclusion: Snap’s Vision for India’s AR Ecosystem

The AR Day event underscored Snap Inc.’s long-term vision for India—an ecosystem where creators, developers, and brands can collaborate to push the boundaries of augmented reality. With a growing community, educational collaborations, and impressive AR innovations, India is firmly positioned to lead the global AR landscape, with Snap playing a key role in that journey.