Abstract
Abstract. The research described in this paper reports on the design, rationale, development and implementation of a set of new geospatial interfaces that combine multi-touch interaction, portable virtual environments, 'geosimulation gaming', and mobile augmented reality. The result is a set of new ways for us to combine the capabilities of geospatial virtual environments, augmented realitiy and geosimulation. These new hybrid interfaces deliver new geospatial information experiences – new ways of connecting spatial data, simulations, and abstract concepts to real spaces. Their potential to enhance environmental perception and learning must be explored.
Highlights
1.1 BackgroundVirtual environments have been of interest to geovisualization researchers for some time
At the Spatial Interface Research Lab, we developed a set of mobile tangible user interfaces (TUI) to explore new forms of situated geovisualization user experiences that might enhance student perception of the relationship between topography and surface flow in watershed basins
A more sophisticated version of A Situated Touch of Rain is a situated virtual environment that uses device orientation, acceleration and location sensor data to allow the user to stand in real space, but look into an alternate virtual world in situ
Summary
Virtual environments have been of interest to geovisualization researchers for some time now. The ability to create high fidelity virtual environments using inexpensive game engine software has unlocked new opportunities for geovisualization researchers. These newer platforms enable us to interact with 3D physics simulations in real time in virtual spaces as individuals and in groups. In the past fifteen years, augmented reality has matured to a point where it being adopted and deployed by a wide range of user communities in society, industry and research (Azuma, 2001; Hedley et al, 2001; Hedley, 2008)
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