Welcome to our recurring post, 3D Interactive Tech Talk, highlighting how interactive technology is being used right now and where it’s headed.
A New Way to Interact Physically With Your Digital Environment
Beyond the ability to “simulate affordances–the quality which allows an object to perform a function, such as a handle, a dial or a wheel–but not actually have them”, devices (to this point) are missing the key element to making us feel truly connected to our digital environment – touch. This shape-shifting display, designed by MIT, allows you to reach through and touch.
Feel What You’re Watching With This Technology
Using “two Aireals, along with a single projector” Disney has created a sensory illusion that is sure to be a hit. Air vertices (puff air rings) “allow you to actually feel objects and textures in midair–no special controllers or gloves required.”
‘Mixed-Reality’ Prostate Exam Simulator Preps Med Students For The Real Thing
This “virtual patient simulation” offers a “life-sized, realistic virtual person that medical students can speak and gesture with to interact. Furthermore, the medical students can perform a realistic prostate exam using the physical simulator.” Combining real and virtual elements, this “mixed reality” enables students to participate in intimate, “anxiety generating interactions,” in which they do not receive extensive training. This is not only good for them, it’s good for their future patients as well!
Do you have a 3D Tech Talk tip? Hit us up here and we’ll try to work it in to a future update! And check out our interactive training videos to see some of the many ways businesses are benefitting from this technology.
Photo credit: misterharrison on Flickr
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