AR app that digitalize some of the laboratory practices for different subjects of the Aliat Universidades schools group. Made for Android with Unity 3D.
August 25, 2023
Overview
For Aliat Universidades, I led the development of an AR Virtual Lab that transformed traditional laboratory practices into interactive digital experiences. This platform was designed specifically for engineering students across the Aliat Universidades network, offering them an engaging way to explore lab practices through their mobile devices.
Key Features
Comprehensive Educational Platform: The solution consisted of an integrated educational platform with a Content Management System (CMS), Learning Management System (LMS), and mobile client apps for both iOS and Android.
AR-Based Mobile Client: The mobile app, developed in Unity, serves as the central tool for students to access 3D interactive elements that replicate lab practices. The app handles all data connections and content delivery, offering a seamless experience that lets students interact with virtual laboratory scenarios. Features include:
Active Directory Integration: Enabled secure login for students and faculty by connecting directly to the client’s active directory.
Content Delivery through REST APIs: Facilitated smooth data transfer between the backend systems and the mobile client, ensuring real-time updates.
AssetBundle Management: New content is delivered as AssetBundles, each containing 10 Unity scenes, allowing students to download and access the latest lab exercises directly from the app.
Backend Management Modules: The CMS and LMS work together to support the educational experience:
CMS (Content Management System): Manages over 800 content packages, providing the flexibility to update and organize the digital lab practices.
LMS (Learning Management System): Stores and tracks all student data, offering advanced filtering tools to focus on pedagogic insights. This helps educators tailor the learning experience to student needs.
Administration Console: Developed a custom console for backend management, supporting three types of users—Admin, Editor, and Professor. This console allows users to manage content, monitor student progress, and adjust learning materials as needed.
Technologies Used
Unity 3D: For creating the iOS/Android mobile apps. ARFoundation (ARkit and ARCore)
Azure DevOps: For managing the development process and tools.
Azure Tools: For managing the backend systems. (.Net)
Figma: For creating and managing design assets and prototypes.
Challenges and Learnings
A key challenge was ensuring the scalability of the system, allowing all packages to share the same code and core functionalities. This was achieved through the implementation of a modular architecture that facilitated the integration of the backend systems with the hybrid mobile app. Additionally, creating quality content for over 200 Unity scenes required close collaboration among developers and education specialists from various disciplines, ensuring that each learning experience was effective and engaging.
Outcome
This project successfully bridged the gap between traditional lab settings and innovative AR learning, offering students a modern, interactive way to master practical skills.
