SOMAR is an open-source XR application developed in collaboration with Portugal Marine Researchers SOMAR (https://somarbio.pt/somar/). The project aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of underwater noise pollution, particularly on dolphins and whales. By leveraging immersive technology, SOMAR educates users on the detrimental effects of noise pollution caused by recreational boats and whale-watching activities.
- Introduction
- Technical Details
- Supported Platforms
- Getting Started
- Prerequisites
- Installation
- License
- Acknowledgments
Underwater noise pollution is a growing concern that disrupts marine ecosystems and threatens the well-being of marine life, particularly cetaceans like dolphins and whales. SOMAR aims to educate users about this issue through an engaging, interactive experience in virtual and augmented reality.
The application immerses users in marine environments, demonstrating the impacts of noise pollution on marine animals and encouraging sustainable practices in marine tourism.
- Engine: Developed using the Godot Engine.
- XR Compatibility: Built with OpenXR for maximum compatibility.
- Monado Integration: Meant at leveraging Monado for cardboard support on phone-based platforms.
- XR Headsets:
- Meta Quest 2/3
- Other OpenXR-compatible devices
- Smart phones:
- Pixel phones with Monado-powered Google Cardboard driver
- Other android phones
To explore the SOMAR experience, follow the steps below to set up the application on your device.
If you just want to install and run the application on your XR device or Android Phone, this section is for you.
- OpenXR-compatible XR Headset
- Make sure your XR headset is in Developer Mode and can install APKs from unknown sources
- Download the right SOMAR-application-XYZ APK for your device from our itch.io page folder.
- Sideload the APK onto your device (depending on your device, sideloading method will change) :
- Run the newly application from your XR device's UI and enjoy !
- Recent Android phone
- Make sure you own a physical Google Cardboard-Compatible Phone holder with a QR code on the side.
- Make sure your Android phone is in Developer Mode and can install APKs from unknown sources
- From your phone, download the MONADO APK with cardboard support from our itch.io page and install.
- Install the "OpenXR Runtime Broker" from the Google Play Store on your phone.
- Run the OpenXR Runtime Broker and check the "Monado" box.
- Run the Monado android application on your phone and click the "QR code" logo in top-right corner.
- Point your phone camaera on the Cardboard QR code and wait until Monado has scanned the code.
- From your phone, download the SOMAR-application-XYZ APK from our itch.io page and install.
- Insert your phone into the Cardboard phone holder, plug-in your favorite earphones, launch the Somar application and enjoy !
If you are a developer and want to edit the godot project and rebuild, follow the below steps.
- Godot engine installation properly setup for XR development
- XR Headset or Android compatible phone
- Installed runtime for OpenXR
- Launch Godot 4.X and open the project
- Connect your device via USB (or wireless via the right Godot menu)
- Click the "Remote Debug" button in the top menu bar to build and run your app on the connected device.
- Click [Project]-[Export...] from the main menu to export the .apk for your desired platform.
Most files of the SOMAR project are licensed under BSL-1.0 License and so you are free to use, modify, and distribute except for the 3D assets contained under the scenes/3d/ subfolders, which can only be 'used' within that project. Read the REUSE.toml license file for more details. If you derive this project, you have to get rid of those asset files.
This project is a collaboration between Collabora and SOMAR. Special thanks to the teams involved in developing this application and raising awareness about marine conservation issues.