Augmented reality mobile application; ITU campus asistant example

In this study Istanbul Technical University Campus assistant has been created by researching use of augmented reality for navigational purposes. By researching latest databases, mostly preferred technologies by uses, project management and software development processes, augmented reality technology applied in the mobile application. The study helped to process CAD based 3D ITU Maslak campus map, convert it to PostGIS database and to provide connection between database and mobile applications by using RESTful application programming interfaces. Smart phones, nowadays, can use satellite connections and much more technologies to retrieve location data of users with high accuracy. Any mobile phone starting the ITU Campus Assistant application, user location is being determined using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). After the location is determined, the building names in this area are inquired by creating a buffer of a certain diameter circularly with the condition that the detected location data is considered to be the center. Once the data is queried, direction information is calculated using the sensors of the device to implement augmented reality, and information about the buildings is displayed on the camera of the smart phone. In the mobile application, research and studies carried out for the optimum operation, even though high-performance processes such as position, camera and internal sensors are used. In final stage, mobile application developed as a navigation assistant to Istanbul Technical University campus. Future researches drew a roadmap for the study to create a Software Development Kit (SDK) for mobile applications, which will help interested parties to develop augmented reality application with minimum software development skills.