Jingbo Yang¹ and Garret Washburn², ¹USA, ²California State Polytechnic University, USA

This paper presents an augmented reality (AR) system that overlays multimedia content on a Rubik-type cube using Vuforia Engine and Firebase services [1]. The system addresses the challenge of combining secure authentication, event-driven unlocking, and cloud-based content delivery. After user login through Firebase Authentication, cube interactions detected by Vuforia trigger the UnlockEventSystem, which updates Firestore to track progression [2]. Media files are retrieved from Firebase Storage and displayed in AR via Unity’s VideoPlayer and ImagePlayer managers [3]. Experiments tested tracking reliability under varying lighting conditions and media load times across network environments. Results demonstrated strong accuracy in normal settings and low latency on modern networks, though performance declined in poor lighting and weak connectivity. Methodology comparisons showed that while prior research identified AR’s educational potential, our work contributes a functional prototype that directly integrates progression, gamification, and cloud persistence. Ultimately, the project demonstrates a scalable, engaging, and secure AR framework for interactive learning and training.

Augmented Reality (AR), Vuforia Engine, Rubik’s Cube Tracking, Unity3D, Firebase Authentication