Augmented Posters For University Ecotourism Showcases

Title

AUGMENTED POSTERS FOR UNIVERSITY ECOTOURISM SHOWCASES

Dr. Nor Azman bin Ismail 1 , Fatimah binti Mostapa Kamal 2 , Ain-Syahtul Syahira binti Mohamad
Samsani 3 , Praveen A/L Sukhumaran 4 , Muhammad Nur Farhan bin Abdul Rahman 5
azman@utm.my 1 , fatimahkamal0812@gmail.com 2 , direcahtul@gmail.com 3 , iamrooveen@gmail.com 4 , mnfarf@gmail.com 5
Faculty of Computing (FC) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.

Abstract

This paper presents an Augmented Reality application for mobile devices which aimed to expose and attract people interactively about eco-tourism places provided inside Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The main purpose of this application is to promote and invite people inside and outside from UTM to these eco-tourism places. The application consists of Augmented Reality (AR) features that embed inside the Android Studio mobile application. Users need to scan the marker on UTM eco-tourism map that will be redirected automatically to Google Street View (API). With API, users can view 360 0 images of places from the surrounding area and get to picture the real-life environment of that specific place. Experiments show that users are able to use the technology after a few seconds of help. With this kind of interactive exposure, the number of visitors to UTM eco-tourism places had been increased.

Introduction

Augmented Reality (AR) is an enhanced technology which able to add virtual elements to a real-life situation. Its purpose is to increase users’ attraction and engagement towards the application. AR is a creative way to attract users attention in using some mobile application. Therefore, AR can increase user’s perspective and interaction with the real world. Android Studio is a software for Android’s operating system. By doing application using Android Studio, the interface of the application may be more creative and appealing to users. In the context of the project, UTM eco-tourism map will act as a pre-defined image target and the mobile application camera will act as virtual objects. The targets image will be as a marker which makes it possible to be scan by the virtual objects. The virtual object which is the mobile application will open up a browser to view 360 0 scenery of the eco-tourism places in Google Street View (API). This project is part of the initiative to expose people to interesting eco-tourism places in UTM. The aim of the project is to promote UTM eco-tourism places to the people related with UTM and people live nearby to UTM as well as to encourage people in visiting in UTM. Besides, it is to enhance users experience when reading a traditional map.

Prototype

Video

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