VR and AR – Johannes Ambrosch

Hybrid AR (MSc Thesis)

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 10:35:00 +0000

For my Master’s thesis, I created a proof-of-concept workflow for creating hybrid augmented reality applications. Hybrid means that the applications are built using standard web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, CSS), and then wrapped into Android and iOS apps. This allows developers to create content for three platforms (both mobile systems and web applications), with just one common code base. Currently, the workflow functions for web and Android, but iOS still needs further research to be feasible.

You can read more about the workflow and try out the visual editor and other tools I created on my thesis home page it181514.students.fhstp.ac.at.

AR Business Card

admin — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 10:38:00 +0000

As a semester project for my Masterclass, I created an augment reality version of this portfolio website. It is built on ARCore and shows the most important projects from the VR/AR and Games sections of my portfolio. 3D assets are re-used in the scene, to show some elements of the games directly in AR. Furthermore, interaction allows you to read project details, visit the website and YouTube videos of the projects, and even view the photos in a virtual photo gallery.

To view the portfolio, you need to get hold of one of my business cards, but in case you’ve never met me in person, here’s a print-out. For an optimal experience, print in 85x55mm on non-reflective paper.

The intended way to get to the portfolio app is to scan the QR code on the back side of my business card. Doing so would take you to this page, where you can download the portfolio app.

Or if you just want to see what it looks like, here is a demo video:

Poltergeist Bootcamp

admin — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 10:43:00 +0000

Poltergeist Bootcamp is a Multiplayer VR Arcade-style game, in which two players battle it out in making a giant mess in a 50s-styled kitchen. Your character is about 15cm tall, which gives a really interesting perspective in VR. The game is focused around fast-paced minigames, in which the players have to rapidly switch between finding objects, carrying them to target locations, and causing mayhem in the kitchen.

The game was developed as a semester project in the course “Prototyping” during my master’s studies. My main role in the project was creating the VR Multiplayer architecture from scratch, for which I used a node.js server and WebSockets. I was also partially responsible for the sound design.

Download a factsheet of the game here.

Back in History VR

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 10:47:00 +0000

As a semester project for the subjects 360° Video and 360° Audio, we produced an interactive VR application for Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR, which merges the present and the past, by taking old photographs and stitching them into 360 Images, taken from the exact same location. The user can interact by switching between different years, and then fading in the old photographs.

In this project, I was mainly responsible for the 360° Audio capture and design, and capture of the 360° photos.

Fall of Hades VR

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 11:20:00 +0000

Fall of Hades is a Prototype for a VR Puzzle/Room Escape game, which I developed as a semester project during my master’s studies. It is a demo loop of the first level of the game, which is available for Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR.

You play as an explorer trying to find a way to enter the Underworld, in order to bring back his deceased wife. You tread on the paths of ancient heroes like Hercules, as you attempt to find the hidden keys, which will open a passage into the underworld.

Download a factsheet of the game here.

My Little Planet VR

admin — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:52:00 +0000

This virtual reality game was created during the Global Game Jam 2019. As a team of four, we set out to create an immersive VR game in only 48 hours.

The topic of the 2019 Global Game Jam was “What home means to you” and we created a cute game, where you are the caretaker spirit of a little planet and its inhabitants. Read more about the game (and possibly download and try it) on the GGJ website: https://global g amejam.org/2019/games/my-little-planet-vr

You can also download a factsheet about the game.

Holographic Cocktails (BSc Thesis)

admin — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 13:59:00 +0000

This is a demo of my second bachelor thesis at St. Pölten UAS, titled “AR data visualization and interaction with industrial machines”.

As a use case of this research topic, I developed a HoloLens – application for my university’s automated longdrink robot. You can order through the HoloLens and furthermore get access to various maintenance features.

The occasional tracking loss you see in the video is a result of the HoloLens video capture process and does not occur while simply using the application.

Download a fact sheet about the project

Download my bachelor thesis

Sparks – a poetical story in 360°

admin — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 14:04:00 +0000

This film is the result of my European Project Semester at Artesis Plantijn University College in Antwerp, Belgium. In a multinational and interdisciplinary team, we set out to create a 360° short film with the goal to provide viewers with a highly immersive experience.

To achieve a higher degree of immersion we implemented interactive scenes into our film. For example, in the scene with the mirror, the mirror image would mimic the head movements of the viewer, to make them feel like they are a part of the scene.

Download a fact sheet about the project

This YouTube version does not contain the interactive parts, but is a great experience nonetheless:

A big thank you goes out to my project team:

Frances Liebau

Ruth Stuut

Irene Comella

Arno Bytebier

Tom De Nooijer

Ski De Keersmaecker

My personal special thanks goes out to my good friend Quinn, who is the voice behind this video. Check out their Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/quinnk

Pixel VR Showroom

admin — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 17:39:00 +0000

During my time at the Digitech Research Group of St. Pölten UAS, I worked a major role in development of the Pixel VR showroom. This project was done in partnership with bene, a renowned producer of office furniture, to showcase their Pixel product line in a new and exciting way.

Download a fact sheet about the project.

Read more about the Pixel line at bene.com.

Read more about the VR Showroom at Digitech Research Group.

The Room

admin — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:58:00 +0000

The Room is an interactive media experience, where the user can interact with the content through movement. This demo was developed as a semester project for the subject “Interactive installations” at St. Pölten UAS.

Project team: Huang Chen, Johannes Ambrosch

Download a fact sheet about the project