Project 1
AR Knickknack
and
Laptop Sticker
The AR Knickknack Cubes
Using two supplied (folded paper) cubes and the magic of AR, these two virtual cubes represent examples of how we could build a souvinir 'knickknack', and the types of animation and information it could provide.
Stonehenge, England
The first cube represents Stonehenge in England, a site where a 5,000 year old stone circle has kept scientists guessing about their origin for centuries. It one thoery is that electromagnetic laylines converged at this point creating mystical powers. For this reason ancient druids used this site for rituals and celebrations, some of which are even practiced today.
The knickknack shows the circle of large stones as they appear today, but also includes an inner ring of blue stones that have long since dissapeared. On the left side of the cube is an early hand drawing of the original stone layout, etched into a brass plaque. Note the alter in the middle, a small table probably used for sacrifices.
In the AR animation, the druid in the middle is conjuring spirits, and when the knickknack is tipped, the animation switches between a display of blue fire coming from his casting bowl and and beams emenating outwards. As it tips it also switches between the sound of the fire and an eerie sound coming from the beams.
Additionally, tipping the knickknack to the underside reveals a cavity in the rock, and a magical floating orb, also bubbling with power. This demonstrates some of the magic of AR that can create spaces where there are none (the paper cube is closed on this side).
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
The Brandenburg Gate has become known as an icon at the center of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which marked the end of the Cold War. It was however originally built as a symbol of freedom, and only later became a controlled gateway that represented quite the opposite.
The Knickknack shows the three main parts of the building, and the large open square which today is usually full of bustling tourists, as can be seen and heard on the knickknack.
In its default position the knicknack receives a warm sunset light from the west and shows the West German flag. On tipping the knickknack, the light comes from a rising sun in the east, and the East german flag appears on the east side of the gate. Near the foot of the flag are also two trabant cars, plastic-bodied cars that have become icons of East Germany.
Laptop Sticker "No Diving"
When the phone app detects a sticker on the back of the laptop ( in this case, the inwards-bent Surface laptop), two animated appear, clibing to the top of the laptop. One quickly dives into the pool down below, surfaces and stands proud on the diving board, while the other teeters and eventually falls in.
The idea was driven by the way the top fo the Surface laptop overhangs, thus creating a good surface from which to jump. The pool goes considerably deeper than the desktop itself, thus showcasing an intersting visual trick unique to AR.
The animation simply restarts, and hopefully has enough details and action to warant viewing a few times. The music soundtrack also adds to the fast and slow actions of the two people, while adding some fun and energy.
Please view the video for a 5 minute walk-through of the two cubes and the laptop sticker as seen through AR.
How to download, edit and run the cubes
Download the repository from the github links below
Install Unity Hub and install Unity version 2021.3.6f1.
Open the project you downloaded, using Unity Hub (Project > Open > Add project from disk).
Download the paper cube files, cut and build together.
Install Vuforia package version 10.9.3 as an Assett in Unity (from Vuforia site)
Create an account in Vuforia to get your own license key and add it into the Assetts/Resources/VuforiaConfiguration.asset file in Unity.
(click on "AR Camera" in scene tab => "open vuforia configuration" in inspector)Select 'stonehenge' scene' (includes both cubes) and make any changes you may want
To generate an APK file go to file > build settings > select android > then "build".
Lastly, install the APK file into your Android device and run, pointing camera at physical cubes.
(Note: you may need to 'allow developer tools' in your phone).
Stonehenge - Asset sources and credits
Stones
Self-built in Rhino 3D
Electro-beams
Self-built Unity particle system
Bedrock and grass
Self-built in Rhino 3D
Orb
Self-built in Unity
(sphere and particle system)
Brandenburg Gate - Asset sources and credits
Neo-classical cube
Self-built in Unity
"No Diving" - Asset sources and credits
Pool and surround
Self-built in Rhino 3D
Laptop back
Self-built in Rhino 3D
Fast Future of AR
In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the range and quality of AR devices, including some that are as compact and inconspicuous as regular eyewear. Despite the early market failure of Google’s ‘Glass’ product, there are high expectations that there will be huge market for these devices this time – and for the apps that provide content for them. Augmented Reality has many ways in which it can ‘enhance’ the environment around us, by highlighting certain aspects, by providing information about it, and generally allowing us to interact with its real or virtually situated artifacts. Depending on the quality, context and timing of these augmentations, these ‘artificial’ interactions have the potential to seem very grounded and meaningful to the user.
The AR cube example above demonstrates how AR can unleash new types of creativity in unexpected categories and provide new and unique experiences for the user. Even such a tourist knickknack as above can have a ship-in-the bottle quality, where intricate details barely visible to the eye can be found after close inspection, and it evokes a certain level of fascination in the science and creativity behind it. Additionally, the use of animations can add a dynamic element to the object, movements and visuals that match the quality of video games and movies otherwise not possible in physical animatronics. APIs too add another layer to the object, where up-to-date information can dynamically drive changes to the visual or to the functionality itself.
Due to the high investment from many commercial and industrial channels to perfect the technology, it is inevitable that we will soon see the proliferation of AR usage in everyday life – in both professional and private spheres. But its not just the level of investment that points this direction, but also the wide range of possibilities AR glasses could give. I would expect AR usage would likely follow a similar path to that of smart phones, that after an initial adaptation period we will fast become quite reliant and possibly ‘addicted’ to the visuals and information AR would provide us. It is likely to happen even faster, as it will be superimposed over our real world and integrate seamlessly into our lifestyles, and not require the additional steps required of a phone or watch (no matter how little those are). There are also many real-world objects that will be happy to afford these new experiences. Even relatively mundane, utilitarian objects -be it a drill, toothbrush, storage closet, screwdriver, lightbulb, or vacuum cleaner could offer information, interesting visuals and (commercially) creative ways to connect to the companies or brands behind them.
Given that AR can enhance real-world objects and activities with information, visuals, and creativity, there is almost unbounded possibilities of what might benefit from AR glasses. First, much of the internet already provides guidance and information on any activity -whether guidance on fixing your car, cooking food, product advice or restaurant guides, all of which will likely find a good home as an overlay in AR glasses, and will be much easier to view while doing an activity. The use of animated, interactive, chiefly 3-dimensional visuals will likely add to the addictive appeal of AR, bringing some of the immersiveness and stimulation of video games into everyday life, whether for fun or informational purposes. Its dynamic appeal will make the internet seem like how we view libraries today. Lastly, because of the experiential factor of AR, it is likely to become a highly creative area- both from content creators (which based on recent successes like TikTok may be everyone) and from viewers and partakers. As demonstrated in the knickknack projects, something plain and ordinary can now be reinterpreted very many ways, and with a wide level of creative expression. The future of AR will come at us fast.