ERVR 2023: Mobile augmented reality system for object detection, alert, and safety
This presentation was delivered at the Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality conference (16-19 January 2023) held in San Francisco, CA USA. For more information see: http://www.electronicimaging.org
Title: Mobile augmented reality system for object detection, alert, and safety [ERVR-218]
Speaker: Sharad Sharma, University of North Texas (USA)
Abstract: The usefulness of mobile devices has increased greatly in recent years allowing users to perform more tasks in daily life. Mobile devices and applications provide many benefits for users, perhaps most significantly is the increased access to point-of-use tools, navigation, and alert systems. This paper presents a prototype of a cross-platform mobile augmented reality (AR) system with the core purpose of finding a better means to keep the campus community secure and connected. The mobile AR System consists of four core functionalities – an events system, a policing system, a directory system, and a notification system. The events system keeps the community up-to-date on current events that are happening or will be happening on campus. The policing system allows the community to stay in arms reach of campus resources that will allow them to stay secure. The directory system serves as a one-stop-shop for campus resources, ensuring that staff, faculty, and students will have a convenient and efficient means of accessing pertinent information on the campus departments. The mobile augmented reality system includes integrated guided navigation system that users can use to get directions to various destinations on campus. The various destinations are different buildings and departments on campus. This mobile augmented reality application will assist the students and visitors on campus to efficiently navigate the campus as well as send alert and notifications in case of emergencies. This will allow campus police to respond to the emergencies in a quick and timely manner. The mobile AR system was designed using Unity Game Engine and Vuforia Engine for object detection and classification. Google Map API was integrated for GPS integration in order to provide location-based services. Our contribution lies in our approach to create a user specific customizable navigational and alert system in order to improve the safety of the users at their workplace. Specifically, the paper describes the design and implementation of the proposed mobile AR system and reports the results of the pilot study conducted to evaluate their perceived ease-of-use, and usability.
Biography: Dr. Sharad Sharma is a Professor of Data Science and Director of the Data Visualization and Extreme Reality Lab (DVXR) at the University of North Texas. Prior, he was a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Director of the Virtual Reality Laboratory at the Bowie State University. He is an expert in modeling and simulation of human behavior for emergency response and decision making with focus on multi-agent systems (MAS), multi-user virtual reality (MUVR), and mobile augmented reality applications (MARA). He specializes in modeling human behavior during emergency evacuations and active shooter events. He is also involved in the development and evaluation of virtual reality instructional (VRI) and augmented reality instructional (ARI) modules for teaching and training in several applications, including healthcare, education, and evacuation. He has won the "2018 USM (University System of Maryland) Board of Regents' Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Research. He has also won the Presidential Achievement Award for Distinguished Achievement in Research & Grants in 2022 at BSU. He is recipient of the DHS Scientific Leadership Award.
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