An open source engineering manager and blogger writes that his company, Kapor Enterprises, Inc., is working on a new application for virtual worlds that will remove the keyboard and mouse from SL use.
To replace these tools, the project (code-named Segalen) will look to 3D cameras that will monitor movement, color, depth and distance. The author writes that the 3D navigation is in an advanced stage and has been demoed successfully for KEI.
The state of the project is summed up in the author’s own words:
“I completed the whole navigation UI: walk, turn, fly, jump, crouch, etc… It’s really cool and demos amazingly! It’s also a true different feeling being around SL with your own body (so to speak) instead of being tied to this darn keyboard.”
Kapor Enterprises, as in Mitch Kapor of Lotus 1-2-3 fame, president of the Mozilla Foundation, and a member of the board of Linden Lab (as well as one of its funding partners)?
Mmmh. How very interesting!
There was coverage of an interview with Mitch where he talked about it also reading expression and translating it through to that of your SL avatar. If only I could remember where I read it.
[...] 3D cameras that will initiate a new tipping point for virtual worlds, according to Mitch Kapor. I recently reported on this development, linking over to an employee’s blog post where he stated the [...]
This is really cool. Looking forward to see the demos. Btw is it using IR, like the Wii? Will it work as well for folks who are sitting? Does it track hand gestures for movement etc…? A few hints…will be enough
Check today’s postt, it includes links to coverage by CNET with a bit more detail.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=35468158048%40N01&q=IAAPA&m=text
Look for the GestPoint photos. Kapor’s late.
Been late for a while.