Methodological reflections on capturing augmented space: insights from an augmented reality field study

The growing popularity of augmented reality has led to an increased overlaying of physical, offline space with digital, augmented space. This is particularly evident in the public space of big cities, which already feature a multitude of holographic content that can be experienced via augmented reality devices. But how can we methodically capture the interrelation between physical and augmented space? In this augmented reality field study, a historical building was holographically reconstructed in its original size on a public city square. The test people were then able to move around and view the hologram from different angles via high-tech augmented reality glasses. Due to its explorative character and constantly changing field conditions, including, among other things, the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to critically reflect and adapt our methods to take into account technical, environmental, social, operationalisation, and recruitment issues. After evaluating our solutions to these issues, this article aims to illustrate the methodological challenges and opportunities of augmented reality field studies and to provide an overview of best practices for capturing the interrelationship of physical and augmented space

Portable Augmented Reality installation with hologram special effect for kids’ education to learn everyday objects

The utilization of Information Technology has a great opportunity to be explored to support students in learning the materials. Presentations can help students learn new content more effectively, especially for children learning everyday objects. Learning can be made more interesting, memorable, and participatory by using Augmented Reality technology. Holograms are a hybrid of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, often used in amusement park rides. Generally, visitors can feel their emotions while riding the rides, and these recollections are preserved in their memories. Based on the benefits of AR and hologram special effects, researchers combined the “wow” effect of these things. They created a solution in education by using a hologram special effect and combining them with AR technology. When combined interactively with AR technology, the hologram special effect is predicted to become a good teaching approach. This solution aims to develop a portable AR installation with hologram special effects on a low budget, making it viable to apply in education and capable of helping students learn creatively

Augmented reality and holograms for the visualization of mechanical engineering parts

There is an increasing number of students using tablets in schools. Mobile devices gained popularity as an educational tool and there are many schools that use them frequently in educational activities to improve learning. We found that first year students of mechanical engineering in general have difficulties in understanding 3D shapes from 2D views. There are many Augmented Reality (AR) applications available that can be used to create educational contents for these mobile devices. On the other hand, there is an increasing interest in making holograms. In this paper we studied the most popular AR systems and show examples of using an AR system for the visualization of 3D models. We also present the creation of a low cost prototype, the EducHolo, that enables the visualization of holograms supported by tablets. With this prototype students can visualize the hologram of mechanical parts, providing a better perception of the model 3D shape and improving the ability of making the 2D orthographic views and perspectives that they study in the first year of mechanical engineer

Mixed Reality system to study deformable objects: Breast Cancer application

Treballs Finals de Grau d'Enginyeria Biomèdica. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona. Curs: 2020-2021. Directors: Eduardo Soudah i Óscar de Coss. Tutor: Aida NiñerolaA significant amount of women who go through a breast cancer conservative surgery to treat early stage breast cancer undergo a repeat surgery due to concerns that residual tumor was left behind. To avoid this, tumor localization is needed to assist the surgeon in order to determine tumor extent and also, it is critical to account for tissue deformations. For these reasons, new navigation systems, like the one proposed on this project, are emerging to cover those needs. This project focuses on the use of a Mixed Reality system to improve the accuracy in placing the static hologram of the tumor and, to implement a dynamical hologram when deformation takes place. In order to do so, two different molds with objects inside have been manufactured. Next, two different approaches were considered, a mathematical approach to create a 3D CAD model of the molds and a medical approach, which consisted in performing a CT and then, segment the images. The models were post-processed and imported to the HoloLens head-mounted display. The system was tested on the molds and on a breast phantom provided by the Hospital Clinic. The results obtained were encouraging and although some things need to be improved, this exciting new use for Augmented Reality has the potential to improve the lives of many patients