Case Study: An Interactive Exploration of a Futuristic & Sustainable Architecture
Overview
A vision of a sustainable building on a futuristic, interactive station: Welcome to the future of sustainable architecture, in the heart of Budapest, powered by us. This is an ode to a future vision where buildings are more than structures.
In this project, we collaborated with Solarflare to fulfill Pulse’s vision of delivering the message of the [Name Hidden]: Creating an immersive interactive experience for the introduction and promotion of a living and breathing building that contributes to a sustainable world.
Our project involved creating a dynamic, interactive experience of exploration for their headquarter building model skyscraper. The interactivity was brought to life via an innovative AR application in which users could control the displays that are attached to the robotic arms with their hands.
With the help of advanced body tracking, robotic arms, and AR cameras, visitors interact with the futuristic skyscraper model with realtime high precision movement. As they explore the building, they discover hotspots that reveal more about innovative features, sustainability, circular design, and the future vision of the [Name Hidden].
The Client
[Name Hidden] is a multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. Their portfolio consists of oil and gas exploration and production assets in 13 countries with production activity in 8 countries.
[Name Hidden] has been recognized for its commitment to Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability, and Corporate Governance, receiving an award from the Budapest Stock Exchange. For the fifth year in a row, [Name Hidden] has been included as a constituent in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, underscoring their ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices.
They are known for their forward-thinking approach to business and a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The Project
With a vision of grandeur and innovation that was put forward by [Name Hidden], [Name Hidden] immediately bought the idea and sought the expertise of us. The aspiration was to construct a model skyscraper that could be interactively explored by visitors through robotic arms and AR technology. This enabled us to offer an immersive, hands-on experience that would illuminate the sustainable features of the brand new [Name Hidden] building in the heart of Europe.
The challenge lay in the creation of a seamless software solution that could breathe life into this vision, effectively demonstrating the immense potential of sustainable architecture and the transformative power of interactive technology.
Client: [Name Hidden]
Project: Interactive Exploration of Sustainable Skyscraper Architectural Display
Start Date: 03.06.2022
Delivered on: 12.8.2022
Services: Software Development, Testing, QA, Technical Consulting, Deployment
Tech Stack: AR, Robotics, Body Tracking, Kinect, Unity 3D
Physical Components: Azure Kinect DK, UR5 (6 dof robotic arm), Brio Web Cam, Monitor, Skyscraper Physical Model
Implementation
The Scope
The project consists of broad technological aspects that include advanced body tracking, robotic arms, and AR cameras, and realtime high precision movement. We were tasked with creating an immersive, hands-on experience combining these that would perfectly enable visitors to discover the sustainable features of the model building.
The endeavor encompassed the conception of an interactive model skyscraper, an eye-opening experience to see an architectural marvel carried by robotic arms, governed by advanced body tracking technology. These robotic extensions served as the conduit for visitors to explore the model, unveiling various hotspots that shed light on the sustainable features of the building.
The Approach
We embraced an iterative methodology to navigate this intricate project. The journey commenced with the creation of a proof of concept, a testament to the potential of the interactive model. This initial triumph paved the way for the development of the comprehensive model, equipped with robotic hands, cameras, and Kinect body tracking technology.
Navigating uncharted user experience territories, we embarked on a journey of experimentation with diverse user control mechanisms. These explorations ranged from methodologies that employed the shoulder as an anchor point, to strategies that simulated the relative movement of a joystick, and finally to the current implementation that operates on absolute positioning. This comprehensive approach allowed us to refine and perfect the user interaction, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.
The software solution, a product of our prowess in software development, testing, and QA, was crafted to withstand the complex interactions between the visitors, the robotic hands, and the model skyscraper in a real time manner. The end product was not merely functional but also delivered a smooth, captivating user experience.
The Results
This is a statement of what's possible when we combine technology, creativity, and a commitment to a greener future. Here, we're proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, using our software expertise to bring visions like this to life.
The interactive model skyscraper emerged as a triumphant achievement, winning accolades not only from the MOL Group but also from other stakeholders involved in the project. The seamless software solution facilitated an intuitive and engaging exploration of the model skyscraper. A testament to our development prowess, our approach effectively materialized the vision of sustainable architecture.
Some custom coding tangible results from this special project were:
Leveraging our software expertise, we saw the need for a calibration tool that fine-tunes the content across three robotic arms, thereby accelerating the installation and calibration process exponentially.
To always ensure a secure experience, we designed our calibration tool to offer visibility into the movement range of the robotic arms so that the whole system reinforces safety while maintaining an engaging interaction.
Given the multifaceted nature of the project, we designed a comprehensive series of system health checks during initial launch. This allows us to promptly identify and rectify any issues related to network connectivity, robot connection, or content downloading, ensuring a seamless user experience.
The Future
The success of the [Name Hidden] project has charted a new trajectory of opportunities for us. Plans are already being set into motion for future projects that promise to continue pushing the boundaries of what's conceivable at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and software development.
We take immense pride in being at the vanguard of this thrilling field, harnessing our software expertise to bring visions, akin to the [Name Hidden] project, to fruition. We will continue crafting innovative solutions that engage, educate, and inspire, together.
