Virtual Holograms Offer Remote Possibilities

I blogged earlier about my article, The (Virtual) Classroom of Tomorrow that discusses educational efforts within three dimensional environments using human-like avatars. This is akin to using holograms for academic purposes, although the technology requires very simple representations of something only partially resembling a hologram.

In a recent issue of Simulation & Gaming, Korean researchers show what is possible with state-of-the-art technology. Sang-Yup Lee, Sang C. Ahn, and Hyoung-Gon Kim over at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and MyoTaeg Lim at Korea University, wrote Real-time 3D video avatar in mixed reality: An implementation for immersive telecommunication. Using multiple cameras, a more realistic projection of participants can be transmitted into the virtual environment than traditional avatars. When this happens, facial expressions and gestures combine with vocal inflections to give a real time representation of the participant.

It’s little surprise an article like this should come out of South Korea, which is one of the most wired countries in the world and consistently on the cutting edge of online virtual worlds. One of the key stumbling blocks in using virtual worlds for teaching has been the lack of communication affordances the avatar structure imposes on participants. Basically, participants typically gaze at slightly animated versions of one another. Hand gestures and other motions are mostly restricted with traditional avatars. But, with the technology outlined by Lee and colleagues, a much richer educational environment becomes feasible, with avatars largely mimicking what the person is actually doing in RL.

Look for this technology to gain interest among educators in coming years.

References

Lee, S., Ahn, S. C., Kim, H., & Lim, M. T. (2006). Real-time 3D video avatar in mixed reality: An implementation for immersive telecommunication. Simulation & Gaming, 37(4). 491-506.