VR Chiriyakhana: A Virtual Zoo Using Google Cardboard

Abstract

The application of virtual reality in entertainment and education industry is growing rapidly day by day. The proposed method offers a new experience for animal lovers and zoo visitors by gaining a new experience of surfing at the virtual zoo using the Google cardboard. Additionally, the study provides informative view to the students and creates possibilities for unable people to visit zoo virtually which delivers 3D computer generated animal objects with virtual surroundings using animations and videos from the real environment which includes vocal expression and scientific description of different animals available in traditional zoos of Bangladesh. An android-based mobile application developed using unity platform which consist of eight different animals with their different activity. The major findings of the study, virtual zoo provides the visiting opportunity regardless of seasonal weather and pandemic situation. AR based zoo helps the visitors to watch the animals more precisely and more interesting way by getting 360 video of the animals. The proposed method supports the early age students to know the physical view of different animals and their scientific name which benefits to identify different animals in real life situation. Qualitative feedback collected from the 25 participants who had experience visiting the traditional zoo where participants showed positive attitude in experiencing virtual zoo. The findings from the participants’ feedback, the implication of proposed system creates impressive contribution in education and entertainment industry.