BibVision is an augmented reality (AR) application designed to simplify book navigation inside the HTW Berlin library (Campus Wilhelminenhof).
Using Unity and Vuforia, the app enables users to search for books, navigate through the library with real-time AR path guidance, and view contextual information directly in augmented reality.
BibVision allows users to:
- Search for books using a free-text search.
- View an AR navigation path that dynamically updates while walking.
- Locate the exact shelf and book position using AR highlights.
- Display additional book information via Image Targets.
The system is based on 3D LiDAR scans of the library and Vuforia Area Targets, providing a VPS-like indoor positioning experience.
- Built with Unity Engine
- AR tracking handled via Vuforia (Area Targets, Image Targets)
- Scanning performed using LiDAR-enabled iPhones and the Vuforia Creator App
- Pathfinding implemented using Unity NavMeshAgent
- Multiple LiDAR scans were merged into a combined Area Target for reliable indoor tracking.
- A runtime toggle switches between Area Targets and Image Targets due to Vuforia limitations.
- The team collaborated with the library and obtained an export of book metadata.
- A custom converter translated the proprietary format into JSON.
- Book data is read using
JsonReader.csand managed byLibraryManager.cs.
- Initial attempts with A* proved complex with Vuforia meshes.
- Final solution uses Unity NavMesh + NavMeshAgent.
- Routes are generated and displayed using
Route.cs.
- UI built with Unity UI Toolkit for flexible, web-like styling.
- Some UI Toolkit bugs required workarounds (e.g., manual input field focus).
- Defined in
userinterface_.uxmland controlled viaSearchManager.cs.
A project demo is available on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/hO_sNjfNe5Y
- iOS development with Unity + Xcode resulted in repeated signing/build issues.
- Frequent on-site testing was necessary due to location-dependent AR functionality.
- Merging library scans and debugging Vuforia tracking was time-consuming.
- UI Toolkit features were incomplete, leading to necessary custom fixes.
- Vuforia → https://developer.vuforia.com/
- Unity → https://unity.com/
- Navigation arrow → https://getdrawings.com/free-icon/google-maps-arrow-icon-58.png
- Book icon → https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/2219582-vector-illustration-of-book-icon
Other assets (e.g., shelf prefabs) were created by the team.