3D is largely relegated to eye-candy these days, with 2D controls and traditional user interfaces plus some “pop-out” imagery. However, I have high hopes that 3D can become much more as we find creative ways to expand user experiences and create truly 3D user interfaces. The Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Kinect systems are good examples of movement in this direction — allowing users to physically act in the virtual space using (hopefully) intuitive and naturalistic motions. This provides strong sensory-motor feedback and requires much less cognitive overhead than, say, remembering which arbitrary button does which action in which program. I’ve recently come across a device that takes these principles and creates a truly great 3D interactive experience in desktop computing.
Miami’s Smale Interactive Visualization Center obtained a zSpace
A zSpace system from Infinite Z (image via zspace.com)
system from Infinite Z to assist with some 3D design research that we are conducting with Ast2, Inc. Having worked with 3D hardware and software for almost a decade now, I can honestly say that this is the most impressive device I’ve seen — particularly at it’s price point. With all 3D displays, the content can seemingly pop off the screen or recede into the background. Unlike real 3D objects, though, you can’t lean out to see the sides of an object or crouch down to see beneath it. This is where zSpace excells. It integrates very responsive head-tracking which constantly alters the 3D view to match the user’s viewing angle, which results in an almost holographic experience. To top it off, zSpace includes a motion-tracked stylus that you can use to literally reach in to the 3D space and grab objects, rotate them, push, pull, or otherwise interact with the simulation. The interactions are fluid and most of all, intuitive. We teach courses on usability and human-computer-interaction here at AIMS, and this is one example of a product that is doing the right things.
Eric Hodgson’s primary research relates to human spatial ability, including spatial memory, perception, reference frames, landmark use, and navigation. Because this work often includes the construction and use of virtual environments for people to navigate within, he also conducts applied research related to immersive virtual reality and motion tracking. Most recently, this work has involved developing Redirected Walking techniques to expand the navigable area available for simulations.