Insects3D app for iPhone and iPad

Insects3D is an iOS-compatible app designed as a proof-of-concept solution for integrating augmented reality content with systematic biology. The app was developed as a companion tool for an open access peer reviewed article published in Insect Systematics and Diversity (Sarnat et al. 2019).

Insects3D allows users to visualize 3D specimen models of the six newly described species of Strumigenys ants from Fiji using two different modes. In 3D mode the models display on-screen and can be rotated along three axes using touch gestures. In AR mode the models are anchored either to a visual marker or to a user-selected surface. The computer-generated models display on the device’s camera screen and behave as if they were fixed objects in the room. The user observes the models from different angles either by keeping the mobile device stationary and moving the visual marker, or by keeping the marker stationary and moving the mobile device. Users select which species to visualize using the taxon selector dropdown menu and toggle between specimen model and map model by tapping the specimen/map icon.

The following features are available in both 3D and AR mode
• pinch-to-resize [scales size of specimen and map model
• spin (rotates specimen model 360° on vertical axis)
• texture slider (increases/decreases opacity of specimen model texture)

Insects3D was developed by the Economo Lab https://arilab.unit.oist.jp in conjunction with Lucid Reality Labs using the Vuforia Engine with Unity. Insects3D is funded by the Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology.

Citation: EM Sarnat, F Hita Garcia, K Dudley, C Liu, G Fischer, EP Economo. 2019. Ready Species One: exploring the use of augmented reality to enhance systematic biology with a revision of Fijian Strumigenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insect Systematics and Diversity. doi: 10.1093/isd/ixz005i