The explosion of interest in geo-social only points to a larger trend in augmented reality demonstrated by other innovations in the off-Broadway workspace — merging actual and virtual environments in order to make interactions with technology more tactile.
Nien Lam and Scott Wayne Indiana’s next-gen AugTopia superhero toys contain cubes in their tummies that can be adjusted to simulate different QR codes, generating new on-screen super powers with each combo when held up to a webcam.dailymarauder.com, Full Article, May 2010
Also getting real, augmented-style: GI Joe. Augtopia is an action figure set that allows users to engage with a virtual environment, displayed on their computer screens. Talk about bringing a new dimension to playing in the sandbox). And it doesn’t involve a movie tie-in or Burger King.
Augtopia was developed at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, breeding grounds to other awesome projects such as Pac Manhattan. Yes, that is correct: Pac Manhattan used to let you run the streets of New York as the P-man himself or as one of those pesky ghosts. Unfortunately, not all good futuristic interactive experiments last. Let’s hope that Augtopia is one of those good things that endures.motherboard.tv, Full Article, April 2010
AugTopia action figures is a project I am developing at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program in collaboration with Scott Wayne Indiana (39forks.com).
Each original, limited-edition AugTopia figure is specially designed using emerging augmented reality technologies that enhance play with computer-generated images and scenes. Patterned markers located on the chest of each figure can be detected and tracked by any webcam-enabled computer to track the figure in three-dimensional space, blending computer-generated imagery with the real-world environment. These patterned markers are also interchangeable. Markers can be used in multiple AugTopia figures and traded among players, allowing for a wide variety of possible interactions using the same set of figures.
In conjunction with the collectible AugTopia action figures, the online AugTopia universe will serve as a social networking platform, enabling the upload of user-generated images and videos that bridge the real and virtual worlds.
The core group of four prototype AugTopia action figures and the AugTopia website (AugTopia.com) will be introduced at the ITP Spring Show on Sunday, May 9 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Monday, May 10 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (721 Broadway between Washington and Waverly Place). Visitors will be invited to handle the prototype figures, and Scott and I will be on hand to demonstrate the augmented reality capabilities.
The Village People crashed TNO last night, and woke up this afternoon lost and confused. They need your help.
The Biker is confirmed dead, but the Cop, the Native American, the Army Man, the Construction Worker, and the Cowboy have all been spotted aimlessly roaming in the game area.
Each Villager needs something and will be forever grateful if you can help them.
Your team’s goal is to find what each Villager needs, and to bring it to them.
Results are graded on time. For example, the first group to bring the Cowboy his desired item gets 4 points, the next group gets 3 points, etc…
The Village People are scattered all over the game area, so timing and scouting are critical.
Here are your tasks.
1. Construction Worker
I lost my hammer!
There must be a hardware store somewhere in the area…
Quickly, bring me a picture of a hammer inside the hardware store. This picture must be taken in the game area!
2. Cowboy
I lost my horse!
I have heard there is a section in the game area that was historically used to stable horses.
While there are no longer stables there, the original brick road is still in place…
Quickly, bring me a picture of this place!
3. Army Man
I am shipping out tomorrow!
I am concerned about malaria, swine flu, asthma, diphtheria, chronic fatigue syndrome, tennis elbow… Everything!
Quickly, bring me a pamphlet (any pamphlet) from some sort of Medical Center!
4. Cop
I got fired from the NYPD!
I need to find a new job. But I don’t want to change my look!
It should be somewhere that I can wear a similar sort of uniform, and perform a similar sort of duty.
I have heard there is a headquarters for such a place in the game area. Hm, something to do with ‘Protecting and Serving’ NYU students, I dunno…
Quickly, bring me a photo of this place!
5. Native American
Somebody just told me that the Dutch settlers bought Manhattan in 1626 for $24 worth of trinkets! WTF? Seriously, WTF???!!!
I want it back.
Adjusted for inflation, that $24 is now equivalent to $1000.
Unfortunately, my bank limits me to $200 from any ATM machine at once.
Quickly, bring me photos of 5 ATM machines in the game area so I can get the $1000 to buy Manhattan back!
** Note: For photos, a team member must be in it and that same team member must be the one who brings the photo to the villager. No sending of photos over time and space.
Think you always have something to say?
Enjoy posting to the ITP list just to get a rise out of people?
Come test your mettle and play High Noon to see just how good you really are with words.
Object:
Get as many replies on the ITP list as you can using only the words from a predefined list. The number of responses you receive will count towards the total point count for your team. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Preparation:
Split players into 2 opposing teams.
All players must be subscribed to the ITP List.
Define a common list of 50 words as well as the start and end of the game.
Rules:
Each player can post 1 game related message per day that is comprised only of
words from the common word list. A day is defined as noon to noon.
Only responses from other students not playing the game will count toward the point total.
You may only use as many different words as total responses you have received thus far in the game. Therefore each day you will have more or the same number of words as the preceding day. The exception is on the first day, where you can use up to 30 different words.
There is no limit on how often you can use the same word.
You may post on your own game related thread or that of your teammate.
You may hijack the opposing team member’s thread once they have 10 or more responses. Any responses received after the post will go towards the hijacker’s point total. The thread may be hijacked back after 10 more responses.
Nien Lam is a programmer and designer based in New York City. He has over a decade of software development experience and is a graduate of NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program. His areas of focus are computer vision, mobile applications, games and wearable technologies. His work has been featured in the NY Daily News, NPR, The Huffington Post and CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360.
Featured Project
Warning Signs is a visualization of the pollution that exists invisibly all around us. When the wearable senses carbon monoxide, the piece subtly changes color and pattern to indicate higher levels of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere to the wearer and those around him or her. This piece was designed and created by Nien Lam and Sue Ngo.
