Developed By: Digital Tech Frontier, LLC EAST

Confucius says: I hear and I forget I see and I remember I do and I understand The Augmented Development Lab (ARDL)

The ARDL is a revolutionary concept that makes virtual, 3D objects appear in the real world, attached to real objects. Users look through a Virtual Reality POV Viewing Device or on there LCD Computer monitors to see virtual objects appear and then can interact with.

Marker Based Object Recognition & Tracking These can be attached to cards, the pages of a book, the chest of a friend or even on the floor or wall to provide a 3D animated replica that fills the room.

The AR Human Heart Virtual objects excel at conveying spatial, temporal and contextual concepts - especially where the real objects (or real replicas) are too expensive, dangerous or fragile. They can also be highly interactive, letting users erupt a volcano, build a human heart or pull planets out of the solar system for closer inspection.

How Does It Work? The computer software recognizes the AR markers (black squares) that contain certain patterns, measures each side and does some complex calculations to determine the position and rotation of the marker in 3D space. This information allows the computer to render photo-realistic 3D objects over the marker and display the result in both the handheld visor and on a large computer screen. The pattern within the marker dictates which 3D object will be displayed, and can also trigger narration and sound effects. Markers can be a variety of sizes and attached to almost any flat surface, which means they can be used in many interesting and effective ways.

 The ARDL is based on technology called Augmented Reality and camera tracking markers. Each person looks through a handheld display system, VR POV or on their desktop computer through a web cam.  The Virtual Reality POV goggles consists of a VR HMD and a small web camera. The camera continuously captures pictures of what the person is looking at and sends them to the computer. And then displays them in real time on the goggles. The individual is free to move around and look in 360 degrees around the object.

 S.O.L.A.R = Solar-System and Orbit Learning in Augmented Reality.  Interactive activity teaching people the position of each planet in the Solar System.  The surface of each planet is based on NASA imagery.

 The user moves the slider to control some aspect of the content on each page: o Manipulate time – volcano formation (non linear). o Manipulate space – layer globe with volcanoes and tectonic plates.  Facilitates self-paced exploration and comparisons.

The Creation: o Google Sketch Up Warehouse o 3D Max o Digitised using the Fast Scan handheld laser scanner.

 Testing the viability of creating and displaying digital replicas of historical artifacts.  Results are very versatile: o View in AR. o View on a Computer. o Share on Internet.

The Implications:  Fragile objects could be archived with no further risk of deterioration.  Objects could be shared globally to aid in research programs.  Fragile objects could be displayed virtually to avoid damage.  Objects could be animated or interactive – take up less space.  Objects placed in context in descriptive environments.  Opportunities for sharing and digital assets.

Create Your Own AR:  Evolves the concept of traditional 3D pop-up books: o The virtual objects can be fully animated and defy physics. o Uses flat planes of scenery layered near the back of the scene.  Each page has narration and a unique soundtrack.  Import or build 3D models, narration and storytelling.

Virtual objects have advantages of being: o 3D o Animation capable o Responsive to the users actions o Not constrained by the costs and practical or physical limitations of real objects.

AR can clearly demonstrate: o Spatial concepts o Temporal concepts o Contextual relationships between both real and virtual objects These factors make AR a powerful educational tool.

 Grabs interest and increases motivation.  Engages kinaesthetic learning: o Object manipulation:  Turning pages.  Moving objects.  Moving users head. o Further interaction:  Combining objects.  Re-arranging objects.  Animating objects.  Can use various learning techniques: o Constructivism. o Knowledge Exploration. o Guided-practice.

Questions? Digital Tech Frontier, LLC. Scott Jochim