Edinburgh Napier University

  Aim The project will investigate and further develop novel synthetic image rendering technologies into an innovative mediation system (a Virtual Environment) that provides close-to photo-realistic 3D real-time visualisation of existing (real) places for one or more moving observers. The visualisation will provide a high degree of immersiveness and support new types of empirical studies of the feeling of presence in a real scenario that is made artificially available for perceptual inspection. Using this new technique in varying combinations with advanced versions of augmented reality, the project will contribute with empirical evidence to the development of a general multilevel theory of presence, on the basis of a context otherwise not available. The theoretical contribution is to develop an understanding of embodied interaction (or embodiment). This theory will drive the design of empirical studies formatively to optimise the technology in respect of those aspects of presence that are found most important for the observers, and summatively to inform an understanding of patterns of embodied interaction. Objectives The project shall act as a melting pot for mixing novel technology, that allows real-time visualisation for a moving observer of recorded real places, with ideas of researchers from diverse fields to develop new tools for empirical and theoretical studies of presence based on the concept of the observer’s embodiment in the computationally created virtual environment. Real places (possibly known to the observer) with man-made and/or organic objects (like trees, foliage etc.) are traditionally hard to represent in a virtual environment, but this project will enable exactly that. The aim is to bring about new insight into presence, when comparison to real places is possible. The project will meet a number of technological, theoretical and empirical objectives. In particular we will: Develop theory and practice of novel real-time Image Based Rendering technology Develop theory and pratice of image acquisition for Image Based Rendering Develop techniques for visual augmentation enabling computer graphics to blend seemlessly with Image Based Rendering Develop a theory of embodied interaction that will make an important contribution to a multi-leveled theory of presence Derive a collection of patterns of embodied interaction that will inform the design of new technologies conveying a sense of presence Provide empirical results that scope the contribution of embodied interaction and applications of the new technologies