Blue Whale AR Encounter 2.0

The Blue Whales Encounter AR app provides an interactive and educational experience centered around the blue whale, and it does so with commendable effectiveness. There are notable features to explore in each of its two main views.

The “Model View” immerses users in a detailed 3D representation of a blue whale, allowing for an intimate encounter. Users can place the whale in their environment by tapping on suitable surfaces, subsequently using the on-screen layer selector to delve into various anatomical aspects—external, skeletal, and internal. Each layer is equipped with blue hotspots that present contextual information pertinent to that specific area. The interface also offers functionality to adjust the whale's size and orientation for an optimal viewing experience, with the option to expand it to its full scale, encouraging users to engage physically with the content—though ample space is advised to fully appreciate the scale.

Transitioning to the “Submarine View,” users are transported into the aquatic realm of the blue whale. This perspective simulates a voyage aboard a submersible, initiating with an encounter as a blue whale swims gracefully alongside. The submersible features eight dashboard controls, each designed to enhance the user's exploration. Four of these controls facilitate comparisons of the whale's enormity against relatable objects such as a diver, a pod of dolphins, a school bus, and even a T-Rex. The remaining controls showcase distinctive blue whale behaviors, including surfacing for air and engaging in lunge feeding—a captivating display of one of nature’s most extraordinary feeding techniques.