|
Home > Press > Press Releases > Technology, The Invisible Engine That Drives Networld
Technology, The Invisible Engine That Drives Networld
Cambridge, MA – March 2, 2001 – On March 2, 2001, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry will open a new permanent exhibit about the Internet called Networld. This exhibit, developed by Nearlife, Inc, and the Museum of Science and Industry, breaks new ground in combining art, design, education and technology to create distinctive visitor experiences.
Developing Networld demanded expertise across a wide range of technologies. For example, computers create three-dimensional environments in real time, custom music enhances the experience, computer vision systems track the motion of visitors, and state of the art projection systems bring floors, wall and tables to life. Nearlife's unique mix of disciplines is fully embodied in its proprietary Java-based technology, "Directable CharactersTM," which enables animated objects and characters to travel, migrate, adapt, grow, change and react based on user input.
Making an exhibit debut is Motorola's breakthrough radio frequency identification (RFID) BiStatix technology. Visitors will be able to purchase a souvenir "NetPass" that contains an embedded BiStatix chip. The NetPass identifies each visitor and allows a personalized animated character to accompany and interact with the visitor throughout the exhibit.
Networld is designed to appeal to a broad audience, with something to learn for everyone. Key to this design is assuring that the way we use technology remains transparent to visitors and does not interfere with their enjoyment of the exhibit. Networld embodies Nearlife's efforts toward the seamless integration of technology and design, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience and information without constantly being aware of the technology. Throughout Networld, Nearlife employs unique computer interfaces, allowing visitors to use their entire bodies to interact with the exhibit. Tinsley Galyean, co-founder and CEO of Nearlife, notes, "Nearlife's goal is to use technology in new and unexpected ways to create memorable experiences that are far more than the sum of their parts." Nearlife used Point Grey's (Vancouver, BC, www.ptgrey.com) Censys3DTM people-tracking system to make the exhibit spaces interactive and immersive. Point Grey's Triclops software was customized to create a "smart mirror" that actually places visitors into the Networld exhibit.
Nearlife's creative application of the latest technologies has resulted in several unique experiences within the exhibit. A combination of software-enabled artificial intelligence, computer vision sensing, and computer projection techniques works together to provide visitors with an intimate connection to the experience. For example, a 30-foot long glass wall is arguably the world's largest giant touch screen for multiple visitors. Any visitor can touch an object gliding by on the display to reveal more information about that object.
To stay current with the latest innovations in technology, Nearlife devotes a significant portion of its resources to research and development, and works closely with its strategic partners. For example, Networld benefits from Nearlife's long-standing relationship with Motorola by making available the BiStatix technology. Partnerships such as these enable Nearlife to create exhibit experiences using cutting edge technology.
Nearlife utilized its full range of services to manage and implement all aspects of Networld, including architectural, exhibit and character design, content, graphics, interaction, user interface, software programming and technical supervision. Nearlife's philosophy is to employ a collaborative approach to project development, assembling just the right team of skilled project managers, software developers, architects, industrial designers, graphic designers, character designers, 3-D animators, and writers. Nearlife collaborated closely with the Museum of Science & Industry in producing Networld.
Typically, Nearlife projects use distinctive and intuitive computer interactives, allowing visitors to interact with technology by interacting with the exhibit environment. Every Nearlife project is tackled with a mandate of creativity, ingenuity, and, above all, fun. The result? Forward-looking, engaging, unique Living MediaTM experiences like Networld that delight, amuse and educate visitors.
ABOUT NEARLIFE, INC.
Nearlife is an entertainment company, seamlessly merging the latest technologies with traditional storytelling elements to create "Living Media" experiences. Living Media characters and environments travel, migrate, adapt, grow, change, and react based on user input. Nearlife experiences blend real and virtual world across a variety of media platforms including museum exhibits, pc's, interactive television, the Internet, wireless devices and electronic toys. Nearlife designs, manages, and implements all aspects of its highly successful exhibits, including character design, theming, content, graphics, interaction, user interface, software programming and technical supervision. Widely recognized for its award-winning interactive projects at noted museums, science centers, and other locations around the world, Nearlife is using Web-based elements to expand location-based exhibits into homes, schools, and beyond.
Additional information about Nearlife, Inc. is available at www.nearlife.com. A white paper about Networld will be available on the Nearlife website. Living Media and the Nearlife logo are registered trademarks of Nearlife, Inc.
For Information Contact:
Jim Brady
Nearlife Inc.
info@nearlife.com
(617) 491-3184 x124
|
