PROJECT BY

BENI ZAKS & XAVA FRAGOSO

Master of Digital Arts

UPF 2007

Ubiquos is an interactive system designed to be an extension of our living space, through the representation of a virtual environment.

The basis behind this project lies in the assumption that in the not so far future, living quarters will continue to diminish in size as the population grows. Our idea was to find a way, to mimic the perception of large spaces using modern technologies, while living in crowded neighborhood complexes within busy metropolitan cities.

Moreover, it was important for us to activate the virtual world in a seamless way without the need for external devices. Rather we were interested in employing the use of daily activities that everyone performshe leitmotiv of our project is to provide a feeling of immersion and spatial perception to our users without using costly and overly sophisticated Virtual Reality systems.

We thrive to do this by different levels of seamless and intuitive interactions that generate empathy with the users’ extended environment. At the same time establishing a dialogue between real and virtual space by employing daily life activities as the elements with which the user interacts.

Based on what we had had the opportunity to meet and learn during the master and our training as an industrial designer and architect, the common point we had to ask to work together was a mutual interest in the exploration of synthetic space in a way so far , our approaches had been in a germinal state.

INTERACTION LEVELS

Direct Interaction

Ubiquos idea is to help users be familiarized with the system by providing them elements that are often used in a home

Interacting with virtual objects with WIIMOTE

Interaction via household objects and remote Wiimote . Dimmer (potentiometer ) affects virtual light Coat Rack microswitches affecting a virtual mass "if the number of items is greater , more people in space ( more life on it) , so the change is so gradual. " Motion capture sensors , issued affect shadow in virtual space ( avatar of the user) and the movement of the camera the scene. Interaction via wiimote Change settings ( scenarios). Change music ( playlist).

Indirect Interaction

Environmental stimuli received discreetly without interventionuser. Webcam reflection of the user in the virtual environment surround.

sensors capture movement (IR camera)

Taking advantage of the properties of the five human senses we manipulate the virtual environment by means of interaction with different objects in the physical world creating a seamless experience.Providing a natural feeling of comfort , security and identity when interacting with the different elements in the physical space that affect the virtual world.

External Interaction

Buildings react to the user interaction inside the house.

I interact with my space and depends on the interaction My Space has a " mood" outward, represented by facades of LEDs. By joining a community interactions in other floors are unique , and at the same time creates a identity with the common space that goes beyond the walls and made public . The space lives through the lives of its inhabitants.

DIRECT INTERACTION

Interact directly with everyday objects

Ubiquos idea is to help users be familiarized with the system by providing them elements that are often used in a home

SMART COAT RACK
MICROSWITCHE WELCOME

After hanging your coat the room welcomes you using predefine scenarios: The video wall opens The Bamboo starts lounching fireworks.

SMART CANDLE
TURN ON/OFF YOUR FIREPLACE

Using a light sensor attached to a candel you can "turn" your fireplace, Just light the candel and the virtual fireplace will turn on.

DIMMER
AFFECTS VIRTUAL LIGHT

You can set the time of the day usin a regular home dimmer. rotatin is will set the sun position and change the scene atmosfere

WIIMOTE
ENVIEROMENT CONTROL

with the wiimote you can change music, scenarios interact with "virtual objects"and eaven "play" with your virtual fish.

INDIRECT INTERACTION