AstroReality Earth Mini
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Product graciously provided by AstroReality
I reached-out to several companies to see if they could offer any of their materials as part of our continued AR research, assessment, and review project. AstroReality was kind enough to provide the Earth Mini Planet which I will discuss below - free of charge. This assessment is intended to be an objective review of augmented reality content and functionality as well as educational value. It is not necessarily an endorsement of the product itself. I used an Apple iPad for this review.
AstroReality Mini Planet - AR Material Review
Tim Scapin, AREA
April 2, 2021
Item Earth Mini Planet 3D Printed
Size 1.18" (30mm)
Scale 1:425,000,000
Earth
stand
base with AR marker
instructions
box
According to the AstroReality website, through innovative and interactive technologies they bring physical products to life with augmented reality. One of their products is the Earth Mini Planet. The planet works in conjunction with the AstroReality app which is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. When I opened the box I found a small model of the Earth - about the size of one of those bouncy balls you get from the quarter machine at the grocery store. It's solidly constructed and isn't entirely smooth with the land masses being slightly raised above the oceans.
The app opens and asks users to sign-in using their Facebook, Apple, or Google account. Once landing in the main menu, I chose 'add a product' since I had the Earth in-hand. The app directed me to 'scan the QR code in the user manual to activate the model'. This added an Earth Mini option to my main menu. Clicking the new tab activated my device's rear facing camera. I placed my Earth on the base card and viewed with my device. This began the augmented reality experience. An AR model of the Earth appeared perfectly over the physical piece - essentially replacing the physical with the digital. An AR moon also appeared revolving around the Earth. The AR Earth can be rotated and resized with users able to adjust their point of view. Users can choose to view the solar system which appears with an 'Earth-centric' focus.
Back on the main menu, the Lunar AR poster option allows users to download and print an image of the moon. When viewed through the device it activates an AR model of the moon which can be rotated, resized, and point of view adjusted. Zooming-in on the model reveals labeled points of interest such as significant locations or lunar landings. Clicking on labels display images or videos. The Lunar AR main menu option activates the AR moon model without requiring the poster. Overall, all AR models were extremely well designed, easily manipulated, and stable without issue.
When I first discovered this product I wondered what separated it from other solar system AR apps that do not require physical elements. After getting into the box, and revving-up the app, I found there was just something about that tiny Earth. There was nothing 'gimmicky' about this product. Everything was thoughtfully designed and constructed. The tactile nature of the physical model simply contributed to the overall user experience. It took the AR app to the next level by allowing me to physically hold what I could bring to life in the digital world.
AstroReality App
The Earth Mini Planet is available at the AstroReality website, along with several other planetary products.
The app is available, at no cost, in both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).
CES 2019 Award for Innovation in Augmented Reality
Real Earth vs EARTH Mini
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https://www.astroreality.com/https://www.astroreality.com/augmented-reality-solar-system-modelhttps://www.astroreality.com/about-usPhysicists Measured The Central Engine That Powers Solar Flares For The First Time. https://www.sciencealert.com/physicists-have-measured-the-central-engine-that-powers-solar-flares-for-the-first-timePage updated
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