VR PLANTING

Dubai Municipality has the jurisdiction over city services and facilities in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Municipality employs more than 14,000 people working in 34 departments under six sectors.

Dubai Municipality is regarded as one of the largest governmental institutions in terms of services rendered and projects executed. It is the leading driver of growth and evolution of the Emirate of Dubai.

Client

Dubai Municipality

Sector

City planning

VR Planting

Services

VR planting app

3D graphics

Technology

Gear VR / HTC Vive

Unreal Engine

Challenge

Increase the effectiveness of training through detailed hands-on experience

The client wanted to make a step forward in terms of training their staff and needed help in designing a VR planting training course. We were selected to create an application that would teach users how to plant and grow various plants in a simple and understandable way. We were to create a step-by-step training app available in two language versions (Arabic and English). An important challenge was to verify the results of the VR planting training, so we suggested adding a quiz.

The task of the VR planting app is to show planting techniques in a simple way – including ornamental plants, seed-germinating vegetables, vegetables in the form of seedlings, and fruits. In addition, some plants are also divided into shrubs and trees.

Process and project scope

Scope

Our job was to design the VR planting training in accordance with the client’s requirements and suggest an implementation approach. The application was to guide the user through the planting procedures in both English and Arabic.

Process

We used the Agile approach, delivering a test build every two weeks, so that the client could provide feedback. Using this input, we were able to incorporate additional suggestions and requests within the next iterations, improving future outputs before receiving next feedback.

Collaboration

This was a turnkey project, as the client did not have their own VR department. We were selected to deliver a comprehensive solution, from design to implementation to testing.

Business value

Teaching general procedures and illustrating key differences between plant types

The application we created includes numerous plants, as well as their specific requirements. For example, in the case of carrots, the user needs to dig a suitable hole (each virtual thrust is 10 cm deep) and then check it. The VR planting app shows whether the hole is suitable or not. If it is too shallow, the user has to dig deeper, and if it is too deep, then water pours out as if from a pierced pipe.

Next, the user chooses the amount of fertilizer and water per square meter. Plants in the application have 3 incremental stages of growth. The next phase is weeding and hoeing, and then harvesting the crops. At this stage, a quiz appears where the user has to answer a question about the optimal time to start harvesting.

At the very end of the training session, a collection basket appears next to the field. Each field can be planted with a different kind of plant. The user’s movements within the VR planting app are implemented in the form of teleport.

Technology stack

Breaking new ground in agricultural education with VR technology

The VR planting app was developed for use on Samsung Gear VR and HTC Vive. Core features and gamification elements were created using Unity engine, and eye-catching 3D graphics complete the picture of this one-of-a-kind solution.

Tech stack for VR/AR project at 4Experience