Beyond Virtual Reality
The April 2nd issue of BusinessWeek carries a cover story on the coming virtualization of the world that's an eyeopener on future of human-computer interface. Lets face it, the keyboard is not natural -- neither is the mouse, the remote control or 2D simulations of 3D worlds. What is natural for humans have long been a challenge for computers to accept as input, interpret and execute. A glimpse of the future however is here, and its showing up in the unlikely place of business.
Sure the entertainment industry has been at the forefront of exploiting new technologies such as motion capture, rendering and virtualization of the real world -- but how about sensor technology that detects movements and expressions, allowing the natural interaction with presentations? Or technology that tracks the motion, allowing advertisers to interact with their audience? Others are also bringing 3D modeling to life, allowing prototypes to be interacted with -- designed, tested and virtually constructed and used before ever becoming real.
Systems that track motion and emotions are also being developed, with a varied landscape of applications waiting in the wings. Imagine if Google ads could from eye movements and facial expressions being captured by webcams, whether ads being served up are registering –- or even effective. Imagine if security systems could tell from movements and facial expressions, whether an individual is up to no-good. Or think of the possibilities, if the health industry could interpret a gait and associate it with medical conditions. The education industry could reach a higher dimension if movements and expressions could be captured and rendered virtually to bring geographically displaced individuals together.
BusinessWeek closed off the article with some words from clinical psychologist Sherry Turkle of MIT: Motion tracking is about the mirroring of body motion, and of course the subtle things like hand gestures, or the way someone characteristically cocks his head before speaking. With the widespread use of these systems in business and entertainment, these motions will give us a much greater sense of connection with our online selves. The virtual will seem much closer to the real. The possibilities are nothing short of the Matrix.
Sure the entertainment industry has been at the forefront of exploiting new technologies such as motion capture, rendering and virtualization of the real world -- but how about sensor technology that detects movements and expressions, allowing the natural interaction with presentations? Or technology that tracks the motion, allowing advertisers to interact with their audience? Others are also bringing 3D modeling to life, allowing prototypes to be interacted with -- designed, tested and virtually constructed and used before ever becoming real.
Systems that track motion and emotions are also being developed, with a varied landscape of applications waiting in the wings. Imagine if Google ads could from eye movements and facial expressions being captured by webcams, whether ads being served up are registering –- or even effective. Imagine if security systems could tell from movements and facial expressions, whether an individual is up to no-good. Or think of the possibilities, if the health industry could interpret a gait and associate it with medical conditions. The education industry could reach a higher dimension if movements and expressions could be captured and rendered virtually to bring geographically displaced individuals together.
BusinessWeek closed off the article with some words from clinical psychologist Sherry Turkle of MIT: Motion tracking is about the mirroring of body motion, and of course the subtle things like hand gestures, or the way someone characteristically cocks his head before speaking. With the widespread use of these systems in business and entertainment, these motions will give us a much greater sense of connection with our online selves. The virtual will seem much closer to the real. The possibilities are nothing short of the Matrix.
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