Graduate Thesis Project “Shayd” and Virtual Reality with Phasespace

The project I’m working is Shayd, headed up by Juli Griffo.  It’s a motion capture VR installation that allows users to explore bizarre celestial realms and interact with alien life forms. We are using the PhaseSpace motion capture system, which consists of ten calibrated mocap cameras that provide flawless head tracking of the Head Mounted Display. Pictures below:

   

Top left is a close-up of a PhaseSpace camera. It has two little “eyes” if you look closely. From left is us calibrating the motion capture setup, we are working with about 20′ by 20′.  The two photos on the right are 2 of the 4 motion capture camera rigs, they are about 12′ tall and completely surround the walkable area.  Pointing in the direction of the user, they can track the movement of the head mounted display from anywhere within the 20′ circumference.

The PhaseSpace system is an optical mocap system that utilizes mounted red LED lights, as opposed to reflecting markers such as those found in Vicon setups. Palmer Luckey, the inventor of the “Phase 4″ wireless HMD that we are using for the show, tells me that the PhaseSpace cameras are not all that different in appearance than the Kinect camera when you open them up. But they do cost a sexy $5000 a piece.

Here’s a few photos of the Phase 4 HMD in action:

 

The Phase 4 is not Palmer’s final iteration of the device, but the working prototype is incredibly light and comfortable, and actually provides a field-of-view about nine times wider than leading consumer head mounted displays, such as the new Sony HMD.  Thankfully, Sony doesn’t market their HMD as a virtual reality device, but more as just another way to view movies.  This is very honest of them, as their HMDs (like many other consumer brands) simply simulate a floating television.  The Phase 4 has a wide enough FOV to simulate the sensation of true presence, of really being there.

In the Spring, Shayd will likely be using the Wide5 HMD, developed by Fakespace Laboratories. The Wide5 and Phasespace system is part of the MxR Lab at the Institute of Creative Technologies, where we have been testing the project throughout the semester. There is a great post about the Wide5 here.  The ultimate goal of the final project is to not only capture the motion of the HMD, but also capture the motion of the user’s body as well.  That data is then used to project a body into the virtual environment in real-time, synchronized with the movements of the user in the physical world. The user can then see themselves visually through the HMD, and for this project we can even have them embody an alien creature. More to come though!

If you want to come check out Shayd and many other fantastic thesis projects, the winter show will be held at the School of Cinematic Arts stages 1 & 2, Friday, December 2, at 6pm.