ARHCI 08
Ben-Gurion University
Augmented Reality & Human Computer Interface Day


Abstracts and Bios


Looking to the Future in Augmented Reality Research
Mark Billinghurst, Human Interface Technology Laboratory, New Zealand University of Canterbury

Abstract:
Although Augmented Reality (AR) technology was first developed in the 1960's it is only recently that the first commercial AR applications have begun to appear. There are still many research challenges that need to be addressed before AR technology will become commonplace. This talk gives a brief review of the history of AR development and then discusses several important topics that need to be explored further. Examples will be drawn from some of the leading AR groups worldwide and also research undertaken at the HIT Lab NZ. Finally predictions will be made about how technology trends may impact AR applications in the future.

Bio:
Dr Billinghurst has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human computer interface technology, particularly in the area of Augmented Reality (the overlay of three-dimensional images on the real world).

In 2002, the former HIT Lab US Research Associate completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering, at the University of Washington, under the supervision of Professor Thomas Furness III. As part of the research for his thesis titled Shared Space: Exploration in Collaborative Augmented Reality, Dr Billinghurst invented the Magic Book - an animated children's book that comes to life when viewed through the lightweight head-mounted display (HMD).

Not surprisingly, Dr Billinghurst has achieved several accolades in recent years for his contribution to Human Interface Technology research. He was awarded a Discover Magazine Award in 2001, for Entertainment for creating the Magic Book technology. He was selected as one of eight leading New Zealand innovators and entrepreneurs to be showcased at the Carter Holt Harvey New Zealand Innovation Pavilion at the America's Cup Village from November 2002 until March 2003. In 2004 he was nominated for a prestigious World Technology Network (WTN) World Technology Award in the education category and in 2005 he was appointed to the New Zealand Government's Growth and Innovation Advisory Board. Originally educated in New Zealand, Dr Billinghurst is a two-time graduate of Waikato University where he completed a BCMS (Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Science)(first class honors) in 1990 and a Master of Philosophy (Applied Mathematics & Physics) in 1992.


Augmented Mashup
Eyal Gever, Gizmoz Ltd.

Abstract:
For over 15 years Eyal Gever has been dedicated to leading the convergence of technology and art and enabling an advanced medium of visual expression for people and businesses. During his presentation Eyal will introduce both his artistic research as well as commercial work and demonstrate how he utilizes his research interests, which include 3D graphics techniques for enhancing user interfaces, mixed reality and real-time interaction techniques for interactive multimedia.
Bio:
Eyal Gever is the founder and CEO of Gizmoz and is leading Gizmoz since its inception. As the leader of the company's vision and business strategy, Gever originally conceived Gizmoz as "Pixar to the people" bringing together the full experience of storytelling and cutting age multimedia technologies, in a rich-media format that is fun, smart and user friendly. Eyal Gever is a visual communications visionary and has received numerous awards for his innovation in multimedia design and technology. Eyal has over a decade's experience implementing his design ideas into Internet-based products, primarily in the area of consumer user generated multimedia and communication. Eyal Gever attended Jerusalem's renowned Betzalel Academy of the Art and Design.


Your Next Life: From Second Life to the 3D3C Metaverse
Yesha Sivan, Metaverse Labs Ltd., and Afeka College of Engineering

Abstract:
What is the Metaverse compared with the Internet, web 2.0, gaming, etc.
Key technical challenges and opportunities (hardware, software, 3D graphics)
Key business challenges and opportunities
A definition of the Metavese as a new media that combine interactive 3D, Community, Creation, and Commerce.
Bio:
Dr. Yesha Sivan is the founder of Metaverse Labs (MVL) - a leading think tank in the area of the Metavsere. Dr. Sivan is a pioneer and leader of technologies for knowledge infrastructures. His professional experience in the development of innovative workplaces for corporate, hi-tech, government, military and defense environments (see for example: the Harvard 9-Keys for Knowledge Infrastructure). Dr. Sivan received his doctorate from Harvard University, and is a research affiliate in Harvard's Program on Information Resources Policy; he was the entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR) in JVP Venture Fund Studio. He is teaching Metaverse related courses in Afeka College of engineering, Tel Aviv University School of Computer Sciences, and Bar-Ilan University Executive MBA Program. His alter person is Dera Kit, and his blog is http://www.dryesha.com.


Controlling Highly-Immersive Virtual Reality by Thought Using a Brain-Computer Interface
Doron Friedman, Interdisciplinary Center

Abstract:
As part of the EU Presencia project, we have integrated the EEG-based Graz brain-computer interface (BCI) with the UCL Cave-like virtual reality (VR) system, and have conducted several experiments. In this talk I will provide background to BCI, and explain why the combination of BCI and VR is particularly interesting. Next, I will briefly provide several results from our experiments over the last three years: navigation of a virtual street, controlling an avatar by thought, and a tetraplegic patient that was able to navigate a street and interact with virtual characters in the Cave.
Bio:
Doron Friedman is an Assistant Professor in the Sammy Ofer School of Communications in the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, and an Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science in University College London. Doron received his PhD from Tel Aviv University in 2004; his thesis dealt with knowledge-based cinematography in virtual environments. Doron's current research is in neuro-physiological interfaces, presence in virtual reality, and virtual worlds. Doron was the co-founder of Earthnoise Inc., and is occasionally involved in start up companies.


Interactive Rendering of Large Polygonal Models
Jihad El-Sana, Ben-Gurion University

Abstract:
Augmented reality concerns enhancing user perception by supplementing the real word with virtual, often synthetic, content. Ideally, we would like the added content to look and act as an integral part of the real world, which is 3D. Therefore, the added content often has the form of 3D models, which are registered and rendered onto the real world in real-time. Usually a detailed representation is required to enhance a realistic appearance for these models. However, it is not always possible to directly render such detailed models in real-time. In this talk, we will address the rendering of such large models at interactive rates, without affecting the original appearance of the models. This is made possible by the use of multi-resolution level-of-detail representation, while utilizing recent advances in graphics hardware.
Bio:
Jihad El-Sana is a Senior Lecturer of Computer Science at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. El-Sana's research interests include 3D interactive graphics, multiresolution hierarchies, geometric modeling, computational geometry, virtual/augmented reality, and image processing. His research focuses on polygonal simplification, accelerating rendering, and exploring the applications of virtual reality in engineering, science, and medicine. El-Sana received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel in 1991 and 1993. He received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1999.

January 2, 2008