Rendering the Visual History of Transilvania University of Brașov Using Augmented Reality

Abstract

This paper aims to present a design and functionality model of an Augmented Reality application available on smart devices. The starting point of this research is the use of mobile applications in universities. Mobile technologies have an important role in the academic communities of higher education institutions, promoting the teaching-learning process, communication, interaction and access to information. The proposed solution is inspired by the existing "Virtual Brașov" application that uses Google's ARCore technology for Augmented Reality and is available for free on the Play Store to promote material heritage through representative areas of Brașov’s Historical Center (Council Square, Modarom, PoartaSchei, LivadaPostei, the Rectorate of the Transilvania University of Brașov and the Aro Palace Hotel) that are also spatial patterns of tourist activity in Brașov City. By highlighting the “Scan and Watch” feature, this new application can be used on smart devices that support this technology to visualize some of the representative buildings and spaces of theTransilvania University of Brașov. This virtual exercise of visual history is supported by research findings of two focus groups and an exploratory survey that enhanced the ideas about the users’ experience of this application concept. The old and the new images of the university are designed to generate implications for current and future students or for foreign ones, while having tourism potential for Brașov.