Mobile CAVE environment – innovative milestone in high-end visualization systems development

By using EON Icube software, portable active stereo projectors from ViewSonic, along with stereoscopic glasses and motion tracking position trackers, the result is complete immersion; allowing learners to walk around or place themselves ‘into’ the virtual environment.

“This mobile system is a revolutionary PC-based multi-sided immersive environment in which those participating are completely surrounded by virtual imagery and 3D sound – but in a scaled-down version of the original Icube,” stated John Handshoe, Project Director, Hazard Community and Technical College.

“I’m giving it some thought on using this in the library,” said Elaine Couch, who’s the Director of the Perry County Public Library, which recently moved to their new home in Hazard. “Someone from California could talk to us virtually. Or we could give someone a virtual tour of our library”.

Reconfigurable immersive environments; the EON Mobile Icube, a 3-wall system, located at the Hazard Community and Technical College’s (HCTC) Technical Campus in Hazard, KY.

Typically, high-end immersive systems, such as the fixed, 4-wall cube, have been, until today, complex and expensive to maintain.

The 3D Virtual Reality Simulation Center: at Hazard Community and Technical College: “For our education system to be effective, our students must be equipped with the tools they need in a classroom that will adequately prepare them for the real world.  With today’s technology, we can create vastly advanced classrooms that provide simulations, presentations, and specialized training that would not be possible in a traditional learning environment.  There is a demand and need for this specialized training that will recruit yound people to pursue careers in the coal, health care, and green industries.” Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear (During his speech announcing the $1.2 million grant for Hazard Community and Technical College)

Advanced Technology
EON ICube Utilizes 4 screens, 3 rear and 1 front projection Tracks the user with 12 tracking cameras Can be used in either a 90°, 135°, or 180° configuration The total viewing area enclosed by the four screens is nearly 8’x10’x10’ or 800 cubic feet Each screen is controlled by its own computer and these computers are all synced with one another Uses the latest technology in LCD Projection, DLP or Digital Light Processing.	EON Portable ICube Utilizes three rear-projection screens Tracks the user with 10 tracking cameras Can be used in either a 90°, 135°, or 180°configuration Setup and take-down can be accomplished in under two days Each screen is controlled by its own computer and these computers are all synced with one another Uses the latest technology in LCD Projection, DLP or Digital Light Processing. Uses active stereo (3D) goggles
Portable Capabilities
EON IBox Large, 40″ display Uses passive stereo (3D) glasses Has high brightness and contrast for use in any ambient lighting environment Does not require alignment as with other systems Allows students to test and refine their content before publishing to larger systems such as the ICube

Source:www.hazard.kctcs.edu

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