Exploring New V/A/M/X Realities with IIS Tokyo Design Lab
Across RCA is a week-long cross-college project at the Royal College of Art. RCA students can choose to apply to join over twenty cross-disciplinary projects. I chose to join the ‘Exploring New Realities’ project, an international project with the RCA-IIS Tokyo Design Lab.
The aim of the week was to focus on creating new applications of VR/AR/MR/ and XR. To begin with, we experienced various kinds of equipment, such as the HTC VIVE, Oculus Rift, Google Dreamer, and Microsoft Hololens. And then we had a brainstorming workshop. Each of us were given keyword cards every minute; and in the meanwhile, we used drawing and diagrams to explain our ideas about new possible applications. After filtering through the concepts, researchers from the University of Tokyo taught us how to create the virtual reality model effectively.
Our team proposed a series of concepts of mixed realities. We began from the assumption that MR is not only for entertainment, but also about facilities for learning and assistance. Secondly, we wanted to explore how MR equipment could be used for disabled people. To take this notion further, we decided to create a prototype for people with visual impairments.
We asked how we might translate visual symbols of MR into other sensory modes to help navigate these digital systems. As a test we worked with the circle, square and triangle. In order to identify the objects, we design a new MR system. When people with visual impairments use the controllers to approach the objects, they will hear different sounds that connect to the shapes or materials. We hope that this MR concept could be enhanced and explored to aid people in the near future.
