EngageLab

EngageLab is an infrastructure project providing equipment, knowledge, and digital services for research in the field of communication design.EngageLab supports research projects with mobile devices, platforms for development of mobile services, and spaces for experiments with mixed reality embodiment and interaction. EngageLab is staffed by, and has development support from InterMedia's Lab staff.

EngageLab is an interdisciplinary venture between The Department of Media and Communication(IMK, HF) and InterMedia (UV) funded through a UiO AVIT (Advanced Scientific Equipment) 2008 grant.

The project has two thematic tracks:

Mobile interaction with 3D models of cultural heritage objects

We have established databases and midleware for interaction with localized, 3D objects. A situated simulation is developed in the Inventio project  that closely relate to mixed and augmented reality. While mixed reality is characterized by different combinations of virtual and real representations along the reality-virtuality continuum, a situated simulation is a 'clean screen' solution where there is a distinct (although minor) difference between the virtual perspective via the device and the real perspective of the user. Current versions of the system runs on Apple's iPhone 3GS (other platforms are under consideration).

 

A tool box for experimenting with interactive spaces, e.g. in museums

The CONTACT and MIRACLE projects utilize the equipment for mixed reality environments and mobile services provided by this grant, and will use EngageLab as a design space and as a test-bed for experiments with new services.