Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enhances the real world with digital elements, such as images, sounds, or texts. AR can create immersive and interactive experiences that can be used for various purposes, such as education, entertainment, or business. In this article, we will explore three unique project ideas that you can create using AR and Unity Engine, a popular game development platform. These projects are based on industry demands and trends, and they will help you learn the skills and techniques needed to develop your own AR applications. Let’s dive into the details of these projects:
1. Virtual Wedding Cards
The above gif shows how you can use AR to create amazing projects that can advertise products in a realistic and engaging way. But this is not the only application of this idea. You can also use AR to enhance your wedding cards or visiting cards with interactive content. For example, you can use an image target on the card to display a 3D model, a video, or a message. You can then share the card with your friends and family, and they can access the AR content using a web browser. You can also embed a QR code on the card that links to the AR web page. This way, you can make your cards more memorable and personalized.
Note that you don’t need to make apps for these projects, as it can be inconvenient for people to download them. Just use AR web pages that can run on any device with a camera and an internet connection.
2. Car Movement Simulator
You can use AR to create amazing projects that can simulate the movements of a car without actually buying or driving it, as shown in the above gif. This is a great feature that can help you visualize and compare different models of cars before making a purchase decision. You can also use this feature for other purposes, such as training sewing machine operators. This can help them learn how to operate the machines safely and efficiently, without risking any damage to the expensive equipment.
To create such a project, you need to follow these steps:
- Design a 3D model of the object that you want to detect and interact with, such as a car or a sewing machine. You can use any 3D modelling software, such as Blender, Maya, or SketchUp.
- Use Vuforia Object Detection in Unity Engine to create an AR app that can recognize and track the object in the real world. You can follow this tutorial to learn how to use Vuforia Object Detection in Unity.
- Add animations and interactions to the 3D model using Unity’s scripting and animation tools. You can make the model move, rotate, change colour, or perform other actions based on user input or predefined logic.
- Build and run the app on your device and test it with the object. You can use any device that has a camera and supports AR, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a headset.
By following these steps, you can create your own AR project that can simulate the movements of any object in the real world. This can be a fun and useful way to learn about different products or machines or to train yourself or others on how to use them. Have fun creating your AR project!
3. Indoor Navigation Assistant
This project is an innovative way to use AR to help users navigate through a campus or an institute. Instead of using GPS, which can be inaccurate or unreliable indoors, this project uses an AR marker that guides the user to their destination. This concept can also be applied to other places, such as malls, hospitals, or colleges, where finding your way can be challenging. However, this project is more suitable for small distances, as it may not work well for large or complex areas.
To create this project, you need to use Unity Engine and Google ARCore SDK, which are tools that enable you to develop AR apps for Android devices. You also need to use Unity Nav Mesh, which is a feature that allows you to create a navigation system for your app. The main challenges of this project are to calculate the shortest path between the user and the AR marker and to track the user’s position and orientation in real-time.
You can follow this tutorial to learn how to create an AR navigation app using Unity and ARCore.
Contributed by Shubhank Dwivedi, An Up and Coming XR Developer and Technical Writer. Connect With him on LinkedIn @https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyberdube/
