Maatkaamun
11-11-2004, 01:32 PM
Wouldn't this be cool for your next visit to the pyramids? If they can make it completely VR (ie, for those of us who *can't* regularly visit our favorite archaeological sites), it sure beats the "theme-park" concept of preserving ancient tourist attractions... :D
-------------
"Pompeii Gets Digital Make-over"
BBC News (10/31/04)
The foundation for an entirely new approach to cultural tourism could be laid down by the European Union's Lifeplus project, which has developed a prototype augmented-reality system that could allow tourists to enjoy computer-enhanced views of archeological sites. The technology combines animated digital elements with the actual view seen by tourists as they roam throughout a historical location through the use of a camera-equipped head-mounted display and a backpack computer. The system software interprets the tourist's view and accurately matches up the virtual and the real-world components. Miralab professor Nadia Magnenat-Thalman notes that augmented reality has advanced to the point where its applications extend beyond computer games. "We are, for the first time, able to run this combination of software processes to create walking, talking people with believable clothing, skin and hair in real time," she reports. Lifeplus operates under the auspices of the EU's Information Society Technologies program, whose goal is to promote user-friendly technology and elevate Europe's cultural legacy. The Lifeplus project is fueled by a new desire to revisit the past, according to Andrew Stoddart of 2d3, the company that developed the Lifeplus system's software. "The popularity of television documentaries and dramatizations using computer-generated imagery to recreate scenes from ancient history demonstrates the widespread appeal of bringing ancient cultures to life," he remarks.
Full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3954659.stm
-------------
"Pompeii Gets Digital Make-over"
BBC News (10/31/04)
The foundation for an entirely new approach to cultural tourism could be laid down by the European Union's Lifeplus project, which has developed a prototype augmented-reality system that could allow tourists to enjoy computer-enhanced views of archeological sites. The technology combines animated digital elements with the actual view seen by tourists as they roam throughout a historical location through the use of a camera-equipped head-mounted display and a backpack computer. The system software interprets the tourist's view and accurately matches up the virtual and the real-world components. Miralab professor Nadia Magnenat-Thalman notes that augmented reality has advanced to the point where its applications extend beyond computer games. "We are, for the first time, able to run this combination of software processes to create walking, talking people with believable clothing, skin and hair in real time," she reports. Lifeplus operates under the auspices of the EU's Information Society Technologies program, whose goal is to promote user-friendly technology and elevate Europe's cultural legacy. The Lifeplus project is fueled by a new desire to revisit the past, according to Andrew Stoddart of 2d3, the company that developed the Lifeplus system's software. "The popularity of television documentaries and dramatizations using computer-generated imagery to recreate scenes from ancient history demonstrates the widespread appeal of bringing ancient cultures to life," he remarks.
Full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3954659.stm