Another VR breakthrough as Disney researchers integrate moving physical objects and virtual worlds
POSTED 29 Mar 2017 . BY Alice Davis
Disney Research laboratories show combining virtual and physical dynamic interactions in VR is feasible Credit: Disney Research
It might look like a man simply catching a tennis ball, but a new video from Disney Research shows much more than that.
Disney’s researchers have developed a way for users to be able to accurately catch a physical ball while they are immersed in a VR environment, opening up a world of possibilities for the integration of real-world moving objects and virtual experiences.
The experiment involved a virtual ball that tracked the projected trajectory of the real ball, and a target catching location for the user, which also shows the user from which direction the ball is arriving. Inside the Oculus headset, the user can see a simple background, the virtual ball, and his virtual “hands”. The scene is kept minimalistic in order to achieve an up to 150fps frame rate and reduce latency as much as possible.
In the lab’s pilot study, the ball was thrown 140 times and caught 132 times.
“In this work, we explore haptic sensations in virtual reality promoting the idea of users interacting with dynamic physical objects,” says the Disney Research paper, Catching a Ball in Virtual Reality.
If problems of latency, depth perception, frame rates and tracking precision can be overcome, the paper says this could be the first step towards “more complicated dynamic object interactions which can be used to further immerse users in virtual environments”.
“Thus, combining virtual and physical dynamic interactions to enrich virtual reality experiences is feasible,” it says.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
Another VR breakthrough as Disney researchers integrate moving physical objects and virtual worlds
POSTED 29 Mar 2017 . BY Alice Davis
Disney Research laboratories show combining virtual and physical dynamic interactions in VR is feasible Credit: Disney Research
It might look like a man simply catching a tennis ball, but a new video from Disney Research shows much more than that.
Disney’s researchers have developed a way for users to be able to accurately catch a physical ball while they are immersed in a VR environment, opening up a world of possibilities for the integration of real-world moving objects and virtual experiences.
The experiment involved a virtual ball that tracked the projected trajectory of the real ball, and a target catching location for the user, which also shows the user from which direction the ball is arriving. Inside the Oculus headset, the user can see a simple background, the virtual ball, and his virtual “hands”. The scene is kept minimalistic in order to achieve an up to 150fps frame rate and reduce latency as much as possible.
In the lab’s pilot study, the ball was thrown 140 times and caught 132 times.
“In this work, we explore haptic sensations in virtual reality promoting the idea of users interacting with dynamic physical objects,” says the Disney Research paper, Catching a Ball in Virtual Reality.
If problems of latency, depth perception, frame rates and tracking precision can be overcome, the paper says this could be the first step towards “more complicated dynamic object interactions which can be used to further immerse users in virtual environments”.
“Thus, combining virtual and physical dynamic interactions to enrich virtual reality experiences is feasible,” it says.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
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