Students from the University of the Philippines Open University’s Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (UPOU FICS) showcased an augmented reality (AR)-assisted running application and a Roblox-based Filipino language-learning game as the Immersive Spatial Technologies and Realities (ISTaR) Laboratory resumed its bi-weekly hybrid research group meetings.
Held at the Immersive Science Communication Open Laboratory (ISCOLab) and through FrameVR, the meeting provided an opportunity for academic advisees of Assoc. Prof. Roberto B. Figueroa Jr., Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies, from UPOU and UP Cebu to share updates on their immersive technology capstone projects.
The students also exchanged feedback on one another’s capstone projects, shared development challenges and best practices, and brainstormed ideas for potential extended reality (XR) projects.
Among the projects presented was “Tempole Run: An Audio Guided and Augmented Reality Assisted Interval Running Application” by BAMS student and ISCOLab Student Assistant Antoni Ernest Paul Mercado. The Android-based application uses automated audio cues and AR visual cues to help runners follow run/walk intervals while reducing the need to manually track time and repetitions.
A look into “Tempole Run: An Audio Guided and Augmented Reality Assisted Interval Running Application” by BAMS Student and ISCOLab Student Assistant Antoni Ernest Paul Mercado.
BAMS student and ISCOLab Student Assistant Hannah Gabriella Macaldo presented “Learn Filipino: A Language Learning Game in Roblox,” an interactive game designed to teach Filipino vocabulary through exploration, activities, audio pronunciation, and quizzes.
BAMS Student and ISCOLab Student Assistant Hannah Gabriella Macaldo demonstrates her online language-learning game titled “Learn Filipino: A Language Learning Game in Roblox” in FrameVR.
Other students from UPOU and UP Cebu presented the progress of their capstone projects, discussing challenges they encountered during development and sharing practices they found useful in advancing their work.
A UP Cebu Student presents the ongoing progress of their capstone projects, to be presented in the upcoming ISTaR Lab Research Group Meetings.
Visiting Professor Shinichi Sato, Dean of the Faculty of Global Studies at Nihon Fukushi University, joined the session as a member of the Capstone Project Evaluation Panel. Drawing on his experience in exploring immersive technology applications in Japan since 2008, Sato provided feedback on how each capstone project presented could be further developed and enhanced.
FICS Dean Roberto B. Figueroa Jr. (wearing green) and Visiting Professor Shinichi Sato (wearing blue) during the ISTaR Labs Research Group Meeting.
The session concluded with a photo opportunity and the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation to Sato in recognition of his contribution to the meeting. He also participated in a separate exploratory meeting with ISCOLab to discuss potential collaboration opportunities with UPOU.
From left to right: BAMS Student Antoni Ernest Paul Mercado, ISCOLab Staff John Alain Orbe, FICS Dean Roberto B. Figueroa Jr., Nihon Fukushi University Dean Shinichi Sato, and BAMS Student Hannah Gabriella Macaldo
The resumption of the ISTaR Labs research meetings reflects FICS’s commitment to advancing innovative applications of information and communication technologies while exploring their potential to address practical needs and contribute to social development.
Written by: Ms. Maria Andrea Bodaño
Edited by: Asst. Prof. Shaira F. Tanay