Aurel - Augmented Reality App

This project help improve the interaction between students and teachers in the traditional mode of study and through a virtual classroom, where there is minimum interaction between student and teacher.
            
Interaction Design | Research | User Experience | Development
4 min read

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Problem Statement
            

Users may find it difficult to fully understand and explore scientific concepts in depth, especially when traditional educational materials are not sufficient. Reading papers can be tedious, and news channels often only provide a limited amount of information while bombarding viewers with ads. To improve understanding and stay updated, innovative technologies that are more intuitive than traditional methods are needed.

Product Perspective
            

This project is focused on enhancing human-computer interactions through AR technology. The project aims to improve the learning experience for students in traditional and virtual classrooms. Additionally, it has the potential to revolutionize the advertising and entertainment industries by providing new and innovative ways to promote products and create engaging experiences. AR technology allows for more interactive and immersive learning experiences for students and more interactive and engaging lessons for teachers. It also has the potential to change the way we interact with technology in our daily lives by providing new and exciting ways to engage and learn.

Requirement Gathering

            
1. Functional
    a. Vuforia Development Kit
    b. Android SDK
    c. Java SDK
2. Non Functional
    a. Video should play after 1.2 seconds of the image retrieval.
    b. App is protected using MD5 algorithm.

Our previous AR study highlighted significant issues with discoverability and findability, which remain persistent challenges for users. Despite investments in AR features, many users were unaware of their existence in frequently used apps.

Once discovered, users were excited about the potential of AR but faced difficulty finding items where AR was available due to inconsistent implementation across an ecommerce app.

AR Application in E-commerce & Retail Shopping
AR Application in Education & Distance Learning
Product Features
            

This project aims to improve the way humans interact with technology through AR in manufacturing and related industries. The project's focus is on implementing marker-based and marker-less AR applications for web-based video and other interactive media, making the use of devices more efficient. This technology can also be used in the advertising industry to create new and innovative ways to promote products. It can revolutionize the way we interact with technology in the manufacturing field by streamlining processes, increasing efficiency and making it more interactive.

User characteristics
            

1. This project utilizes the power of AR technology to benefit users in various industries such as shopping and retail, education, social media, and newspapers.

2. In the business world, AR core allows for a wide range of professional organizations to enhance their user experiences. Warehouses can use AR for navigational assistance for workers, architecture firms can showcase designs in a 3D space, retailers can engage customers with unique product interactions, and advertisers can create immersive campaigns. The possibilities are endless with AR, as it allows users to connect with brands in a physical setting, rather than just on a screen.

3. The medical field is also utilizing AR technology, and this trend is expected to grow as the technology develops. Medical professionals can use AR to analyze patients, plan procedures, and execute therapy plans more efficiently. 3D visuals offer a deeper understanding for medical professionals compared to 2D visuals, and interactive 3D visuals, like AR experiences, provide even more insight. AR has the potential to replace traditional medical diagrams and guide professionals through complex procedures with precision and accuracy.

AR application for Newspapers and Information sharing
Assumptions
            

1. A Smartphone with android OS with version higher than 4.0 and iOS.
2. Also the smartphone has the latest sensors such as image database, gyroscopes, camera tracking, 3D modelling, facial recognition, and most importantly, computational power.
3. The environment has sufficient light to detect the image.

Challenges and Possible Solution
            

1. Augmented reality (AR) technology has the potential to enhance daily life, but there are currently challenges to its widespread adoption.
Solution: Invest in user experience (UX) research and design to develop intuitive and user-friendly interface metaphors specifically designed for AR applications. Conduct user testing and iterate based on user feedback to refine the interface design.

2. One challenge is the lack of established user interface metaphors, which can make AR difficult to use for some people.
Solution: Continuously improve hardware capabilities, such as processors and graphics cards, to provide higher processing power while minimizing heat generation and optimizing power consumption. Develop more efficient algorithms and software optimizations to reduce the computational demands of AR applications.

3. Technical challenges for AR include the need for high processing power, which can generate heat and be demanding on batteries, and the challenge of fitting all necessary components into a small, wearable form factor.
Solution: Collaborate with hardware manufacturers to design smaller, lightweight components specifically tailored for AR applications. Explore advancements in miniaturization technologies, such as flexible electronics and integrated circuits, to reduce the size and weight of necessary components.

4. Another barrier to the growth of AR is the limited number of people with 3D design and interaction skills.
Solution: Increase the availability of educational resources and training programs focused on 3D design and interaction for AR. Collaborate with academic institutions, industry professionals, and online learning platforms to develop comprehensive courses, workshops, and tutorials on AR design principles, 3D modeling, animation, and interaction techniques.

5. To expand the use of AR, there needs to be a greater adoption of 3D design theory, skills, and language, including concepts such as lighting, shading, and occlusion. This will require investment in education and training.
Solution: Encourage educational institutions to incorporate AR design and development courses into their curriculum. Provide incentives and scholarships for students pursuing AR-related studies. Support initiatives that promote collaboration between AR developers and designers, fostering a shared understanding of 3D design principles, lighting, shading, occlusion, and other relevant concepts. Organize conferences, workshops, and online communities where professionals can exchange knowledge and best practices in 3D design for AR.