As part of my dissertation work involves using such a room (we use a Fakespace CAVE with three walls, cluster of 3 Windows PC's for rendering), I have to put my two cents in. The CAVE allows for better spatial perception than any other VR tool i've used so far. When you're in it, a sense of immersion occurs, to the point where people are ducking to avoid obstacles (I give demos on a regular basis) and get queasy if you screw with the orientation. Below are some references for work done in such an environment. It's pretty nifty, but I think the possible uses for these things have not been exhausted, especially as a scientific tool. Although, admittedly. this system is more expensive and space-consuming than goggles. A little less clumsy, though, and you can collaborate with others inside of it.
Fernando, T., Marcelino, L., (2000). Interactive Assembly Modeling within a CAVE Environment. 16-18th Feb.
2000. Portuguese Chapter of EuropGraphics. pp43-49
Snap2Diverse: Coordinating Information Visualizations and
Virtual Environments
Nicholas F. Polys, Chris North, Doug A. Bowman, Andrew Ray, Maxim Moldenhauer, Chetan Dandekar
Rather than directing the blame of our failing science culture to any particular institution or group, let's talk about the image of scientists and engineers in the U.S. The majority of the population doesn't find much romance or excitement in pursuing new science frontiers, or developing technology. These are also the fields which many people view as difficult and arcane. We scientists are the magicians of our time, dabbling in witchery that the public doesn't understand. And doesn't want to. Why should they, when they can dream of being athletes or rock stars, or fat-cat CEOS climbing the corporate ladder. Hell, even doctors have some romantic notions attached to their profession! Why are scientists and engineers any different? I think it's because we really do have intellectually challenging jobs, and the American public is not into challenges, at least ones that don't take more than a couple of hours on a grassy field. I'm not downplaying the actual responsibility and hard work that comes along with nearly all professions. It's the image of science that is suffering. I don't know the solution to this, unless education actually starts teaching relevant material and demonstrating it's utility early on. Computers, electronics, cars, and all sorts of high-tech gadgets need to cease being black boxes to the majority of Americans. Curiosity is the key. Seeking knowledge is not a past time of most couch potatoes who are glued to their mind-raping televisions, of which few know the science behind. To address the slipping of science in America, you need to first ask why people aren't more curious about the world around them, why they don't find romance in the discovery of new technological possiblities, and why they don't wonder about the laws governing our very existence. Science needs a makeover in America, to enlist youth in the ranks of scientists and engineers and to draw support (financial and moral) from the general public. How about we go on strike, to show them how important technology really is to them?
Slashdot Mirror
As part of my dissertation work involves using such a room (we use a Fakespace CAVE with three walls, cluster of 3 Windows PC's for rendering), I have to put my two cents in. The CAVE allows for better spatial perception than any other VR tool i've used so far. When you're in it, a sense of immersion occurs, to the point where people are ducking to avoid obstacles (I give demos on a regular basis) and get queasy if you screw with the orientation. Below are some references for work done in such an environment. It's pretty nifty, but I think the possible uses for these things have not been exhausted, especially as a scientific tool. Although, admittedly. this system is more expensive and space-consuming than goggles. A little less clumsy, though, and you can collaborate with others inside of it. Fernando, T., Marcelino, L., (2000). Interactive Assembly Modeling within a CAVE Environment. 16-18th Feb. 2000. Portuguese Chapter of EuropGraphics. pp43-49 Snap2Diverse: Coordinating Information Visualizations and Virtual Environments Nicholas F. Polys, Chris North, Doug A. Bowman, Andrew Ray, Maxim Moldenhauer, Chetan Dandekar
Rather than directing the blame of our failing science culture to any particular institution or group, let's talk about the image of scientists and engineers in the U.S. The majority of the population doesn't find much romance or excitement in pursuing new science frontiers, or developing technology. These are also the fields which many people view as difficult and arcane. We scientists are the magicians of our time, dabbling in witchery that the public doesn't understand. And doesn't want to. Why should they, when they can dream of being athletes or rock stars, or fat-cat CEOS climbing the corporate ladder. Hell, even doctors have some romantic notions attached to their profession! Why are scientists and engineers any different? I think it's because we really do have intellectually challenging jobs, and the American public is not into challenges, at least ones that don't take more than a couple of hours on a grassy field. I'm not downplaying the actual responsibility and hard work that comes along with nearly all professions. It's the image of science that is suffering. I don't know the solution to this, unless education actually starts teaching relevant material and demonstrating it's utility early on. Computers, electronics, cars, and all sorts of high-tech gadgets need to cease being black boxes to the majority of Americans. Curiosity is the key. Seeking knowledge is not a past time of most couch potatoes who are glued to their mind-raping televisions, of which few know the science behind. To address the slipping of science in America, you need to first ask why people aren't more curious about the world around them, why they don't find romance in the discovery of new technological possiblities, and why they don't wonder about the laws governing our very existence. Science needs a makeover in America, to enlist youth in the ranks of scientists and engineers and to draw support (financial and moral) from the general public. How about we go on strike, to show them how important technology really is to them?