CampusNav Project

The Challenge

Starting university is a major adjustment, especially for first-year students at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) who may be coming straight from secondary school or smaller towns. Many students struggle with the practicalities of their new environment, such as navigating a large campus, keeping up with lecture schedules, and staying informed about events. Research indicates that only 5% of students feel completely confident finding their way around campus, while over 75% do not regularly engage in social activities, often because they simply don't know what is on. This lack of clear information can lead to missed opportunities, confusion, and unnecessary stress during the critical first few weeks of college.

The Solution

CampusNav addresses these issues by providing a responsive website and app designed specifically to make college life easier for new students. It acts as a central hub that consolidates essential tools into one platform, helping to reduce anxiety and help students settle in faster. By combining Augmented Reality (AR) for intuitive navigation with a real-time events calendar and easy access to student resources, the platform offers a practical, user-friendly solution. The design focuses on simplicity and accessibility, ensuring that students can quickly find the support and information they need without feeling overwhelmed.

Key Features

• AR Navigation: Uses the phone's camera to overlay directional arrows on screen, guiding students to locations like the library or canteen via QR code markers.
• Live Events Calendar: A real-time feed of Student Union and campus activities that allows users to view event details and stay connected with the student community.
• Centralized Resources: Provides quick access to vital information such as lecture timetables, support services, and useful contacts, eliminating the need to search through multiple platforms.
• Real-Time Updates: Built with Firebase, the system ensures that any new event posts or updates appear instantly for all users without needing to refresh.
• Responsive Design: A clean, modern interface that works seamlessly across mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers, ensuring accessibility for all students.