Demo Projects of University of Aizu Interns x Lightship VPS
In a collaboration between Niantic and Designium, students from the University of Aizu partook in an internship to create their first AR demo with Lightship VPS
At the request of Niantic offical, a project was launched to create a demo of Lightship VPS in collaboration with interns from the University of Aizu. In this project, the interns primarily utilized the standout feature of Lightship ARDK called VPS.
About VPS (Visual Positioning System)
VPS is a functionality that identifies and synchronizes the device’s location with the real-world position by determining and understanding specific locations. Although there is a similar feature known as the GPS(Global Positioning System), VPS not only relies on location information but also utilizes the camera to precisely determine the device’s position by comprehending the environment of that particular spot. These spots can be designated locations worldwide known as Wayspots, where the environment is localized using VPS to determine the device’s position. Within Wayspots, more precise markers called Anchors can be associated and saved/loaded with objects within the Unity game development platform. Anchors are stored on servers and can be used by developers to display pre-configured objects to users or enable users to share objects they have placed with other users.
Four participants were recruited, and the project kicked off in January 2023. Development began using two development environments, the aforementioned Lightship ARDK(Unity) and 8th Wall(Web). By the end of April, four demos were completed. Interns utilize and demonstrate the uniqueness of AR and VPS through their project ideas while incorporating a perspective that highlighted the essence of Aizu
【 Team Unity * made with Lightship ARDK and Lightship VPS 】
Takase Ito (@niton151)
“I participated because I wanted to create an app that anyone can easily play using AR technology. My favorite is a winged Akabeko that I painted myself during a school trip. I have a Twitter account called “Nito.”
Asaginu (@four_a_two_i)
“I participated because I am interested in AR technology. Interestingly, even though I am from Fukushima Prefecture, I have never been to Aizu on a school trip.”
Drawing from the culture of Aizu, Takase designed an AR fishing game that revolves around the iconic Akabeko. Using the AR technology, he designed a virtual underworld for players to fish from. As the name of the demo may suggest, the players are able to fish up Akabeko from the virtual underworld with a fishing rod. Afterward, the Akabeko will roam in the area and follow the player. Takase demonstrated unique concepts by connecting virtual fishing and Aizu culture.
Aizu is a relatively humble town consisting of around 110,000 residents. This comes with a multitude of benefits such as a place rich with culture, nature, clean air, and ample tourist spots. Thus, the city, unlike larger metropolitan areas, does not have skyscrapers. This project aimed to double the height of buildings through AR. Using the technology, Asaginu decided to select specific buildings, modeling what they could look like if the height were doubled and displaying them on AR application. She approached the project by integrating Aizu’s infrastructure and delving into the world of untapped possibilities within AR presentation.
【 Team 8th Wall * made with Lightship VPS for Web 】
Momo (@mmo_9791)
“I’m momo, a third-year student at the University of Aize. I decided to participate because I wanted to challenge myself in AR development, utilizing my experience in web development. I also wanted to create a useful app set in the familiar setting of University of Aizu.”
Kazuha Nose (@StoD_kazuha)
“I decided to participate because I have an interest in cutting-edge technologies like AR, often seen in science fiction movies. I wanted to explore and experience AR technology firsthand. Having lived in Aizu for over 10 years, I have a strong desire to share the charms of Aizu with as many people as possible.”
Momo decided to incorporate their statuses as students at the University of Aizu into their demo. In the project, they utilized Lightship VPS and Niantic Wayfarer to create an app that registers the several facilities of University of Aizu on a map. Through AR, users would be able to interact with a virtual Akabeko to obtain detailed information about the buildings. The app aimed to enhance navigation and provide a more immersive experience for students and visitors on campus. Momo leveraged her positions as students to interweave the possibilities of AR technology through a practical use case such as campus navigation.
This demo aimed to present business cards on wayspots to not only introduce a person’s formal occupation, but their origins. Kazuha designed an app which allows users to create business cards to display on specific Wayspots. For example, Tsurugajo Castle would have a Daruma doll rising up in the AR environment along with the business card to introduce both the location and the individual. By doing so, Kazuha implemented a personal and cultural connection in an effort to improve communication through AR technology. However, he noted that during the development, there was a surprising lack of Wayspot activity. To address this, he hopes to incorporate this AR technology by cooperating with locals to revitalize several underappreciated Wayspots.
Conclusion
As VPS and AR continue to gain popularity, we find ourselves in an exciting era of exploration, contemplating the most intriguing and impactful use cases for these technologies. By skillfully harnessing the capabilities of VPS and integrating elements of Aizu’s rich cultural heritage, the interns have successfully crafted immersive and localized AR experience. From the initial stages of planning to the final execution, they have successfully conveyed the essence of Aizu through their app while learning the intricacies and skills for AR development.
Moreover, it is evident that the barriers to entry in creating AR applications and websites using VPS have significantly diminished compared to previous years. The availability of comprehensive official documentation and abundant sample resources further facilitated the creation of AR applications, making the process seamless for novices like the interns. This newfound accessibility has allowed even beginners to embark on AR projects with ease. With more time dedicated to ideation and ingenuity, non-engineering developers can strike a balance between technological experimentation and the refinement of their ideas.
Lastly, the ability to conceptualize and execute an app that effectively showcases the charm of their hometown, Aizu, has provided the interns with a valuable and rewarding experience.
Acknowledgement
The story was also published on Antaeus AR ✨
Editorial note
I am Mary Chin (@Mutien_Mary), the writer and designer of the PR team at Designium. The progress and popularization of AR must rely on all kinds of people can participate in the development of AR. Not only the cities, we are also working hard to promote AR technology and applications based on regions. If you’re interested in what we do, we’d love to hear your comments and feedback 😜
I am Daigo Hayashi, a student intern of the PR team at Designium. It is an honor to be able to leverage my bilingual skills to give insight into these projects with the world. I hope you enjoyed the reading and learning more about what we do.
