ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
What is emerging from this humancentric research are applications for XR technology that are worlds apart from the metaverse hype . Included is a simulation that immerses cancer patients in meditation practices to help them endure chemotherapy . Developing such applications requires understanding feedback from the user – both their subjective experience and changes to their physiological state .
In aiming for user-centric forms of XR technology , Dr Garner is exploring applications for biosensing technology , especially in an area where XR technology is already excelling – in providing training simulations for tasks that occur in dangerous settings .
Some recent examples are simulation projects including driving tanks , and firefighting on and escaping from submarines .
“ With training simulations of high-risk situations , it becomes imperative that you provide users with the right sensory experiences , from the way scenes are lit , to the type and volume of sound or the feel of equipment they have to operate ,” Dr Garner says .
A user-centric approach also opens the way to use biosensory data to refine the XR experience via feedback loops in real-time .
Fascinating examples of early work in this space are experiments in which electrodes on a headset feed electroencephalogram data ( the EEG waves generated by the brain ) into a sound generator .
“ The headset will result in different musical sounds for every user , what we call a brain song ,” Dr Garner says .
“ More broadly , biosensing technology is already very good at detecting the user ’ s attention and focus . Feeding that data back into a simulated reality then makes
it possible for users to levitate virtual objects , seemingly with the power of the mind .”
To the extent that CCIXR engages in this kind of exploratory research , it is seeking to evolve the technology and anticipate future uses .
As Counsell says , there ’ s a sense in which CCIXR seeks to move us towards the kind of holographic technology humanity fell in love with when Princess Leia beseeched Obi-Wan Kenobi to help her in Star Wars .
“ Some aspects of the technology may seem a bit clumsy now , but it will evolve ,” Counsell says .
“ CCIXR is very much about getting ready for the future .”
CCIXR is a multimillion pound investment created in partnership with Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and HM Government .
Far above : the ruins of the public plaza between the Royal Palace and the residential quarter in Ugarit , a Bronze Age archaeological site in Syria .
Above : the use of virtual model to represent the archaeological and architectural analysis and interpretation of this plaza and surrounding buildings .
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