tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10666647.post-1136682214947185912006-01-08T11:32:00.000+11:002006-01-08T12:08:40.550+11:00Let me first get some of the terms clear.<br /><br />Physical reality - the physical world we are familiar with.<br /><br />Virtual reality - a computer generated 3D-like (albeit rendered on a 2D screen) with support such as head-mount visual display to general 3D images. Recent development include 3D television (by directing different light into viewer's eye to create the 3D visual effect.)<br /><br />Imagined (created) reality - the sense of reality when you are deeply engaged in a role play simulation such as <a href="http://www.fablusi.com">Fablusi</a> role play simulation. The information you received to create the reality is minimum. Your imagination fills in most of the details. This can also happen when you are reading a novel. The look of the character in the novel is mostly created by your imagination or creativity.<br /><br />Now, consider this situation, from an <a href="http://www.intel.com/research/dpr.htm">Intel webpage</a>, via <a href="http://www.betterhumans.com/Members/futuretalk/BlogPost/5106/Default.aspx">Better Humans</a><br /><blockquote>In a hospital in Houston, two surgeons appear to be performing a difficult procedure on a cardiac patient. In fact, only one of the doctors in the room is real. The other is a replica - a lifelike physical model whose shape, appearance and movements precisely mimic those of a specialist in Tokyo who is performing the actual work.<br />...<br />When you finished using a replica for one purpose, you could transform it into another useful shape. A human replica could morph into a desk, a chair could become a keyboard, a lamp could be transformed into a ladder.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />This is what the Carnegie Mellon University researchers called Dynamic Physical Rendering - a <span style="font-weight:bold;">rendered physical reality</span>.<br /><br />Sound impossible? Here is their plan.<br /><br />The source of the replicate may be captured via 3D motions. Carnegie researchers have already developed <br /><blockquote>technology that points a set of cameras at an event and enables the viewer to virtually fly around and watch the event from a variety of positions. The DPR researchers believe a similar approach could be used to capture 3D scenes for use in creating physical, moving 3D replicas.</blockquote><br /><br /><img src="http://www.intel.com/research/images/photos/dpr_fig2.jpg" align="right"> To create the physical replicate, they propose to use "a form of programmable matter". This programmable matter is in fact millions of small spherical catom which, a prototype (much bigger than the eventual version) has been partially* demonstrated in 2004. The final version will use electrostatic forces rather than electromagnetic forces to hold these catoms together or move. This <a href="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~claytronics/talks/claytronics-3d-sweep.mpeg">simulation</a> shows how 3D catoms can find other catom.<br /><br />Obviously this kind of research will provide a very different future for us. The way of experiencing the world and hence forming our understanding of the world will be different. We should be excited and be prepared.<br /><br />*partially because the prototype is 2D enabled instead of 3D. But the concept has been proven.<b>Administrator</b>: Albert Iphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14938101816494973123noreply@blogger.com