Proposal

Further Research

by ward2021

Project and App Design Inspiration

The website provided below served as my primary source of inspiration. It exhibits similarities to the product I aspire to develop.

Mashrooi: Tracking construction projects – Using AR to view Dubai’s future skyline take shape in real time

Mashrooi is a project by Clever Franke, primarily centred on using AR to visualise Dubai’s future skyline. The app allows users to monitor and engage with future developments in Dubai’s real estate sector. Users can explore various projects and interact with them using AR technology, which includes the ability to track the progress of buildings and access statistics such as the number of new job opportunities created, the ownership of the developments, project valuations, and even the option for potential investors to invest in these properties, among other features. In addition to AR, the app offers live views of construction sites through the use of drones and live cameras, enhancing the user experience and providing real-time insights into the projects.

Right from the beginning of my initial project ideas, I had a clear vision of incorporating AR within the real estate sector. The concept of Mashrooi closely parallels the focus of my major project, making it a primary source of inspiration for my work. Though the concepts aren’t identical, there are elements in their design that I find particularly appealing and could draw inspiration for my project. In the website screenshot, I’ve highlighted three designs within the red boxes that align somewhat with my project’s concept. These designs will serve as sources of inspiration when crafting my app.

Figure 1: A screenshot extracted from the website displays a selection of app designs. Three specific designs have been highlighted to indicate the ones I intend to draw inspiration from.

AR feature Demo

Here’s a video obtained from their website illustrating their use of AR. It showcases how users can access 3D models by utilising their camera to scan a specific code, which subsequently displays the model. The video also demonstrates the initial statistics presented alongside the model.

Figure 2: A video extracted from the website demonstrating the AR feature within the app.

Exploration of an AR app

Here is my exploration of an AR app. I aimed to test an actual app that offers AR features to gain a better understanding of how such applications function and the range of functions they provide.

Magicplan App

Magic Plan is an AR application designed primarily for residential properties, enabling users to generate floorplans and field reports. Through its AR feature, users can scan their rooms, and the app automatically generates floorplans. Furthermore, users can convert these floor plans into 3D views. The floorplans also offer detailed measurements for each room, including ceiling heights and thickness of inside and outside walls.

What the app offers

The app offers a wide array of functions, as shown below.

Figure 3: A screenshot extracted from the app store showcasing the array of features the app offers to its users.

Testing the app

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the product and its application of AR, I downloaded and tested the app myself. Upon entering the app, the initial page, represented in Figure 4, allows users to create multiple projects. For this demonstration, I chose the demo project.

Figure 5 illustrates the range of elements that can be incorporated into a project, offering various options. For instance, Figure 6 provides an example of the items that can be added when selecting the “object” tab.

To explore the AR feature, I navigated to the “rooms” section and initiated a manual scan, yielding the results in Figure 8. While the accuracy of this feature may not have been ideal for my purposes, reviews on the app store suggest it performs well for users who require the tool. If I had chosen to upgrade to a paid plan, I could have utilised the “auto scan” feature, where the app likely automates the scanning process.

Figures 4-8

Matterport

Matterport is an American-based leading company that turns existing spaces into accurate 3D digital models. These models can be used for designing, building, managing, promoting, and understanding spaces. Their platform is excellent in assisting customers to visualise the most of a space throughout each stage of the process.

Property Companies that use Matterport

When creating my proposal on my Padlet board, I included two links to property companies that use Matterport to display their new property show homes. Giving customers the ability to explore their potential investment in this manner provides clear insights and a visual understanding of the property. The software offers various viewing options, including 3D floor plans, a “dollhouse” view, and a walk-through view. Additionally, it allows customers to measure different parts of the property, further enhancing their experience and clarity. The two companies I had included are:

Both utilise Matterport similarly, allowing customers to explore properties virtually. It is worth mentioning that Matterport also offers the option for virtual home viewings using VR technology. They recommend users use the Meta Quest 2 for this feature.

Matterport Features

  • Figure 9 – This illustration shows what the dollhouse view looks like. It provides a comprehensive and easily understandable view of the space, showing the overall design without the shell of a home.
  • Figure 10 – This is the 3D Walk-through view. The customer can click on the which circles to move from one spot to another. There are multiple points in each room so that the customer has multiple angles to view the rooms.
  • Figure 11 – Here is the 3D Floor Plan view. You can also find 2D floor plans on the same page as the 3D tour option. This feature allows customers to visualise the space from a bird’s-eye view, helping them understand the layout of the rooms and how the furniture fits. It can also inspire customers to plan the layout of each room in their own homes.
  • Figure 12 – Figure 12 is the measuring feature that Matterport provides. In this image, I’ve shown an example of what this feature can do. It’s an impressive tool and is valuable for homebuyers. For instance, it can help estimate the amount of wallpaper needed, allowing the customer to order it in advance and be well prepared for decorating once they’re in the house.
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12

How this research applies to my project

Mashrooi: Tracking construction projects – Using AR to view Dubai’s future skyline take shape in real time

The Mashrooi project served as a source of inspiration for me, particularly with their app concept and design. It closely aligns with what I intend to base my major project on. Researching this project provided me with valuable insights into the functions I want to incorporate into my app design, as well as the type of information they provide for each building within the app.

Magicplan App

Researching AR apps like Magic Plan was beneficial because it helped me understand how existing apps have been using AR in the property sector. I analysed the functions they offer to users to determine if I wanted to draw inspiration from them for specific aspects of my project.

Matterport

During my initial planning for the proposal, I subconsciously researched Matterport through the two companies, Gleeson and Starta. This research allowed me to explore and experiment with the functions they offer and understand how they have harnessed AR to create interactive experiences. It gave me an idea of what I want to include or explore later in the project.

References

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Presentation

20 October, 2023

Summary

20 October, 2023