Adding augmented reality to laboratory experimentation

Abstract

This work proposes the use of augmented reality (AR) in laboratory experiments as a way to enrich the user experience in conducting the required procedures as well as reinforcing students' skills in the use of emerging technologies. Three examples of implementing an AR application, running on an Android smartphone, dealing with one haptic device and with two remote operated laboratory experiments are described. The first AR application, allows direct access to a video showing how the haptic device is assembled. The second AR application, ARNsensor, uses a marker to access in real time the data provided by a wireless sensor network used to monitor the laboratory indoor environment. The third application can, not only to access the data from an online experiment, but also to interact with the experiment. In this case, as the experiment involves controlling the level of a water tank, the user can control the water pump through a virtual command provided by the AR application. The three AR applications developed for an android smartphone are fully functional and are available for trial.