Interacting virtually with telepresence counterparts (via Bauhaus University)
Sure, we already have VR systems that allow us to interact with our surroundings. Vuzix’s Wrap 1200VR, Google Glass and the Oculus Rift are just a few examples that have hit the market in recent months but those only allow you to garner information or interact with objects using overlays. While they are incredibly fun to use they don’t really immerse the user physically in those environments, however one institution has figured out a way to do so and over immense distances. An engineering team, led by Benrd Frohlich, from the Virtual Reality Systems Group (Bauhaus University) has developed what they call an ‘Immersive Group to Group Telepresence’ VR system that ‘beams’ users to distant locations in both 3D and real time.
Their system is comprised of two projection-based multi-user displays along with two clusters of Kinect sensor systems (4 per each screen), custom-made bespoke 3D glasses along with VR framework AVANGO software, which allows users (up to 6 at once) to interact with each other in a VR space. Each user or group stands in front of their respective screens wherein each Kinect camera clusters map each user. The Kinect data streams are then processed in real time by a series of multi-core workstations which processes the raw data and creates a 3D representation of the user/s that is then sent via a multi-cast connection to a client application (receiver) where it is then rendered (by GPU) in the VR environment. Various 3D objects can also be rendered in the VR space at the same time, which users can interact with or explore such as museums or famous landmarks. One of the more incredible aspects of the VR telepresence system is that each user group perceives their space in respect to one another while interacting from two distant remote locations. For example, one person in a group points at another individual from another remote location while the others in each group are able to see exactly who’s being pointed at relative to each other. The applications of using the Immersive Group to Group Telepresence VR system are vast but Frohlich already has one project in the works concerning archeology mapping of the Pitoti ancient rock art in the valley of Val Camonica in Italy. After a few years of mapping (using satellites, scanners and cameras) the tens of thousands of figurines inside the valley will then be recreated using the VR system allowing users to ‘fly’ through the area and zoom in on the stones fine details.
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