OverRoom

GOOGLE SLIDES: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PcFfMmhWu2B-bGiUd3uCCI3dBl9KsCLSB1lYrTAmZQw/edit?usp=sharing

Inspiration Our team was inspired by cutting-edge virtual exploration tools like Google Earth and engaging adventure series like "The Magic School Bus." This inspiration led us to develop OverRoom, an immersive application that enables users to explore and experience cultures and geographies from their own rooms, offering a unique blend of entertainment and interactive discovery.

What it does OverRoom transforms any indoor space into a dynamic portal to the world’s most iconic and intriguing places. The application allows users to virtually step into various locations, interact with the environment, and experience the sensation of travel and exploration without ever leaving home. It supports both individual exploration and collaborative journeys, making it a versatile platform for all users.

How we built it We used Unreal Engine 5 and plugins like Cesium along side Meta's Presence Platform SDKs like Passthrough and Mixed Reality Utility Kit to bring the world outside of your room. We planned early and delegated mechanics early to solidify a core MVP by day 2. Since then we've been polishing and implementing last minute changes.

Challenges we ran into Adapting high-resolution geographic data into real-time, interactive experiences was a significant challenge. Ensuring smooth performance and accurate spatial mapping in varied home environments also posed technical hurdles. Additionally, creating intuitive user interactions that felt natural and engaging in a mixed reality setting required iterative design and testing.

Accomplishments that we're proud of We are proud of creating an application that not only functions seamlessly across various physical spaces but also provides genuinely educational and enjoyable experiences. Successfully integrating detailed geographic and cultural content into an accessible format that can be enjoyed collaboratively in real-time is a key achievement for us.

What we learned Throughout the development of OverRoom, we gained a deeper understanding of mixed reality's potential to transform immersive content delivery. We learned about the complexities of spatial computing, the importance of UI/UX design in MR applications, and the effectiveness of interactive discovery and learning. Our work has also highlighted the critical role of performance optimization in creating smooth and immersive user experiences.

What's next for OverRoom Future development will focus on expanding the range of destinations and interactive features available within OverRoom. We plan to enhance the realism of the environments and introduce more interactive elements that can simulate real-world activities. Additionally, we'd like to finalize adding the colocation aspect since we had to cut that last minute, even though our multiplayer functionality is working. Lots of potential awaits for many different uses such as gaming and also aiding urban developers planning large skyscrapers or buildings, with the ability to upload 3d models and view them in the app, in the world.