ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Below : 3D experiences embedding knowledge of agriculture and ( far below ) housing , in Tudor times .
To add motivation to explore , the augmented reality is structured in the form of a treasure hunt that also guides the students through the site .
“ The augmented reality brings to life the archaeological site ’ s intangibles , with delivery designed to enhance students ’ ability to interpret the site ,” Dr Teba says .
“ When we work with museums , we strive to design products that enhance a sense of place , an understanding of history and engagement with cultural landscapes .”
It amounts to a blend of impacts that are also attractive to city councils in their management of the cultural economy .
Portsmouth City Council is partnering with CCIXR on a project called Enabling XR Enterprise ( eXRe ). Funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund , eXRe has a suite of projects under development with six partner organisations : The Mary Rose Trust , Spinnaker Tower , Victorious Festival , Gosport Borough Council , Aspex Visual Arts Trust and The D-Day Story . The aim is to broaden the understanding and use of technology in order to increase the city ’ s visitors , enhance its cultural life , create skills and support the region ’ s entrepreneurs .
With these projects representing just the tip of the iceberg of the collaborations possible , the question arises : what will humans make of technology that exists purely to enhance experience , understanding or learning ?
Humans caught between worlds
Of all the experts available at CCIXR , it is in Dr Garner that sceptics of XR technology will find an ally .
He is the XR practitioner that has no qualms admitting that some over-hyped concepts around ‘ the metaverse ’ are impractical and , “ frankly , awful ”.
A key concern is the attempt to replace social interaction – including human touch – with a simulation of contact that is all glamour and no substance … and that we already know can cause mental health issues , he says .
These concerns are another point of difference that distinguishes CCIXR : it understands the importance of exploring when and how the technology adds value and usefulness and meets needs .
“ With this technology , there is a huge temptation to get carried away and start evangelising only to wind up disappointing expectations ,” Dr Garner says .
“ That ’ s why there is room for blue sky research to better understand how to craft and deploy XR experiences in meaningful ways . There is a lot we still don ’ t know .”
Dr Garner ’ s background is in psychology ( and music ). That makes his focus very much on the user of XR technology , with a side on the importance of sound ( something that features in his Moriarty augmented reality project ).
22 ISSUE 04 / 2022