Case Study · Windsor, Ontario
STEM Next: An Augmented Reality Robotics App Built with St. Clair College
We worked with St. Clair College Research and Innovation to build STEM Next, an iOS app that lets students assemble and customize robots in augmented reality, with no physical parts needed.
The challenge
St. Clair College Research and Innovation runs a hands-on STEM program that shows students how vehicles and robots work, from building a chassis to adding sensors and writing code. Students work in pairs from step-by-step build guides, and the physical robotics kits stay in the classroom.
The college wanted students to keep practising the builds anywhere, on a phone or tablet, without needing a kit in front of them.
What we built
STEM Next places a full-size 3D robot on the floor or desk through the iPhone or iPad camera. Students pick the next part, see exactly where it goes, and snap it into place until the robot is complete.
- Every part modelled in 3D by our team, matched to the real classroom components
- Guided assembly: a parts tray shows the next piece and the app highlights where it fits
- Zoom, rotate and undo controls, plus a help button on every step
- Assembly modules including a Color Sensing Robot and a Distance Sensing Robot
- A completion screen when the robot is finished
- Built on Apple ARKit, works offline once installed, and collects no personal information
Inside the app
How we did it
- Studied the program build guides with the college team to map every assembly step.
- Modelled each component in 3D and optimized the models for mobile devices.
- Designed the AR assembly flow, controls and help screens with students in mind.
- Tested on iPhone and iPad in a real classroom setting, then prepared it for release with a children's privacy policy.
Why it matters
Students get more hands-on build practice than class time and kit supply allow, in class or at home. The same approach works for product assembly training, technician onboarding, product demos and trade shows. See our AR app development and 3D training services.
STEM Next Project: Questions and Answers
What is STEM Next?
STEM Next is an iOS augmented reality app built by EnDesign with St. Clair College Research and Innovation. It lets students assemble and customize robots in AR on an iPhone or iPad, with no physical parts needed.
How does the STEM Next app work?
The app places a full-size 3D robot on the floor or desk through the camera. Students pick the next part, see where it goes and snap it into place, with zoom, rotate, undo and help controls on every step.
Does STEM Next collect personal data?
No. The app is built on Apple ARKit, works offline once installed and collects no personal information.
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