A new virtual environment was developed by Texas A&M University researchers. The system allows humans to see and hear some of the extreme ranges of vision and hearing that animals have could help reinvent the way museums teach about the natural world. Such immersive exhibits would allow visitors, for example, the chance to experience birds’ ultraviolet vision or whales’ ultrasonic hearing. Participants at the international Siggraph conference had the opportunity to experience the program, titled “I’m Not There,” by donning 3D glasses and using a Wii controller to navigate through the exhibit.
The Viz lab is about the synthesis between art and science, so we inserted artistic elements into these scenes to make them more realistic and interesting. Researchers take ultra- or infrasonic sound and ultraviolet and infrared light and scale it down so humans can sense it. It’s still not the same way animals experience it, but it gives a sense of what they see and hear. A similar show is planned at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta this winter. Meanwhile, researchers that developed the system are also working on an LCD version.
More information:
http://futurity.org/society-culture/immersive-exhibit-redefines-birds-eye-view/
More information:
http://futurity.org/society-culture/immersive-exhibit-redefines-birds-eye-view/