Year
2024
Client
Group Work (Rosh , Jacob , Hrishi)
Category
Augmented Reality
Product Duration
2 Weeks
Research into birdwatching, wildlife education, and AR technology highlights the growing demand for interactive and accessible learning tools. Traditional resources such as books, guides, and static websites, while informative, do not offer the immediacy or interactivity needed for modern learners in outdoor settings. AR-based solutions address these gaps effectively.
Through the use of state-of-the-art augmented reality (AR) technology, the Bird Identification AR Application is a creative tool created to improve the experience of bird watching. With the use of Vuforia AR and Unity, this application enables users to recognize birds in a given area by only scanning an image target. For bird lovers, this blend of digital interaction and nature exploration offers an entertaining and instructive experience.
The application uses image targets to see different birds at different locations of a park, biosphere reserve or aviary. Once the the image is scanned a 3D model of the said bird will appear on the screen. And on tapping the bird, some info will be displayed.
How the AR App Works:
Image Targets
● The app uses AR Foundation with AR Session and XR Origin in Unity for AR capabilities.
● Users point their device camera at a bird image. The AR system detects the image target and triggers AR content, such as a 3D bird model.
Bird as the Interactive Button
● Upon recognition, a 3D model of the bird appears in the AR environment, overlaid on the real-world bird image.
● Instead of a separate sphere button, the bird model itself acts as the interactive button:
○ Tap Interaction: Users tap directly on the 3D bird model to open a pop-up window.
○ Information Display: A dynamic pop-up provides detailed information about the bird, including:
■ Habitat
■ Diet
■ Size
■ Conservation status
Multiple Image Targets
● The app supports three distinct image targets, each corresponding to a specific bird species. Scanning any of these images triggers its respective 3D bird model and interactive details.
Overview of the Technical Steps Involved
AR Session and XR Origin Setup
1. Use Unity’s AR Foundation package to set up the AR environment.
2. Add the AR Session component to manage AR tracking and device configuration.
3. Set up the XR Origin to handle AR camera movement and positioning of AR content.
Image Recognition
1. Use AR Foundation’s Tracked Image Manager to detect and track bird images.
2. Register the bird images in the Reference Image Library within Unity to enable image-based AR triggers.
AR Content Integration
1. Attach 3D bird models as prefabs that spawn dynamically when the corresponding image target is recognized.
2. Add tap detection to the bird model itself using Unity’s EventSystem and raycasting, making the bird interactive.
3. Implement the pop-up UI to display when the user taps on the bird.
Pop-Up UI
1. Use Unity’s Canvas system to create the UI that overlays on the screen.
2. Design the pop-up to display bird details dynamically, such as images, text, and icons.
3. Ensure the UI remains unobtrusive and easy to navigate.
The unique selling point of the app is its AR-driven interface, which allows for real-time bird identification. This program uses the camera to scan image targets, such birds, photos, or illustrations, and quickly gives identification, important information, and extra multimedia resources, in contrast to typical bird guides or mobile applications that need human search and data entry. Bird watching becomes a dynamic, engaging experience thanks to this immediate feedback, which also increases user engagement.
There are several situations in which the Bird Identification AR Application can be utilized:
Casual Bird Watching
Ecotourism:
Programs for Education:
Research Support:
CONCLUSION:
An innovative application that uses augmented reality to make bird viewing more approachable, instructive, and entertaining is the Bird Identification AR Application. This software not only improves the bird-watching experience but also cultivates a greater respect for avian biodiversity and environmental protection by fusing cutting-edge technology with a love of the outdoors. As it develops, the app might end up becoming a crucial tool for birdwatchers and a significant supporter of international conservation initiatives.
