Alice Fang-LookingOutwards-1

Demonstration of Sandbox AR

This augmented reality sandbox, developed by a team at UC Davis, is an interactive topographical map that changes based on the shape of the real sand in the sandbox. Elevation, water, and contour lines are projected in real time as the sand shifts and changes. I think this project is great from a design standpoint in bringing physical interaction with the augmented reality as a tool for education. Users can change topography with their own hands, and the projection provides a deeper understanding into the unique landscape, as well as simulate water flow into the valleys and surfaces created. I think it would be interesting to consider how the project would integrate in exhibition, for example if it were displayed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

To the best of my knowledge, the team developed custom software, which is available free to download, for anyone who wants to build their own sandbox AR(!). I’ve also seen a few videos of science teachers unaffiliated with UC Davis who built the sandbox AR for their own classrooms, and I think having an open source for something like this is a great resource to educators, but also people who are interested in AR.

Oliver Kreylos, UC Davis