Design of augmented reality for engineering equipment in education

Abstract

Education is constantly changing with technology, thus new methods and techniques aligned with technology for teaching and learning need updates especially in engineering education. STEM students need to solve some problems by designing and building using various technologies, thus Augmented Reality is one of the solutions. Traditional learning, less of embedded technology techniques to cater blended and online learning. This research presents a designed of an Augmented Reality (AR) on engineering equipment for education called (AREEE) with android smartphone. 3D images of engineering equipment and tools are designed into an AR platform using Google ARCore, Vuforia and Blender Animation tools. Unity 3D is used to develop the AR mobile application. Google Cloud Storage and Google Cloud Anchors are used to enable multiplayer and multi-devices experiences. This research has created an interesting and masking of the natural and computer-mediated reality for an engineering learning environment with easy access for students and educators to the learning materials as data application. AREEE applications with smartphone is used to scan the tracker and displays some AR 3D model on engineering equipment. Students can interact with the 3D model to create a more engaging learning process. Data analysis of interactivity and benefits of AREEE is presented that shows a positive impact of 80 % on the new AR system. The research is significance to provide better engineering education that engages ongoing perception of a real-world environment that could improve the quality and process of engineering education. It also supports learning society towards digital learning and mixed reality concept in engineering for long distance and interactive education that creates a borderless learning experience especially for STEM education techniques.