Possibility 4: Stepping into the Game

It's been more than a week since the 22nd anniversary of the Wonders of Life's introduction into Future World, and apart from a drought of scratch ideas (come on, a few armchair imagineers have come upon this one way or another), I have also been interested in a few potential technologies that is quickly becoming commonplace in the world of today. From the various gadgets in our pockets, it's no doubt immersed us into the many environments and scenarios we could only dream of being in. It's even used in many science museums of today, and also as part of a promotional campaign for National Geographic, as seen below:

Live Augmented Reality for National Geographic Channel / UPC from Appshaker Ltd on Vimeo.

You heard right, augmented reality. While most of you remember the era when virtual reality was meant to be 'the way of the future' in video gaming and interactivity with the virtual world, it wasn't without its limitations - you've had to constantly wear those clunky goggles and gloves if you were to constantly explore the virtual world that lay ahead. But aside from those limitations, this provided its users a greater view of what the virtual world had in front of them. Well, make that a world brought to you through your exploration goggles, as you can see:


Of course, in the opposite corner, along came augmented reality, following in the footsteps of virtual reality, but this time, the tables are turned - it's about putting virtual objects into the view of our world, and in a sense, what's it like to react to those virtual objects. As seen in the above advertising campaign footage, the presence of augmented reality is a possible spectacle for onlookers to interact with what's going on in the virtual world. Because you don't really get to interact with a Tyrannosaurus Rex, or an on-duty astronaut, a leopard or a pack of raptors in real life everyday.

On a related subject, perhaps the use of augmented or virtual reality in a selection of exhibits might be a potential ice-breaker (particularly if the aim is to bring Wonders a little in line to reach Future World's initial standards - a little like you're in the future). As you can recall the attraction groups as mentioned in the WoL pavilion featured in previous Operation: Imagineer posts, there are meant to be a series of hands-on exhibits, even following (and expanding on) the footsteps in those before them. For example, if there is an exhibit to do with body systems, then there could be a possibility to have a virtual 'x-ray booth' to do with interacting with other body systems...

As seen in http://marjoriekayesbabylondreams.com/2011/07/29/current-virtual-reality/

A very intriguing concept if you look at it. For instance, imagine stepping into a booth and seeing your entire cirtulatory system in a mirror screen - just look at the possibilities... perhaps being educated on how blood circulates the body, even tracking where it's going. It would even simulate certain conditions (for instance, a blocked artery) when things go wrong. You could even practically spend a minute with your muscles and bones, getting to know how they help you move in any way possible. the multiple possibilities for activities and education sessions from this technology might be endless.

For some reason, the use of augmented reality in the hands-on exhibits actually does more than demonstrate people how it's done, but could likely involve people in on the action. Although this serves as a useful tool for educating and showing people how it's done on the inside, remember - consideration must be taken, because, after all, not everybody trying it out would ever like certain sickly, inconvenient, or even 'cold-hard' truth shoved in their face.

"Aren't you prepared for a crash course in bodily mismanagement?!"

Moving on... perhaps the use of augmented reality in selected hands-on exhibits would probably work, but I'm sure everyone has their own opinions. So if you have any views or other technologies or elements that could be harnessed to their own advantage, please express in the comments section, and I'll get right back to you!

Anyways, to all of you readers, here's to the upcoming holiday season!

UPDATE: This just in, a recently found video showcasing the technology has been found online. GE Healthcare has put this level of interactivity to showcase the human body onto a much more interesting level, and if you're able to see eye-to-eye with me, then I'm thinking this potential addition could be a lot like this:

So if you're amazed, or know of any other technologies that could be of good use for a possible update of the pavilion, then feel free to ask.

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PS: Anyone on a Facebook, or a Twitter, or a Google+ or a Tumblr account shouls know that I've fixed up the share buttons on this blog. So if you'd like to spread the word about the blog and what's going on over there, then feel free to share it woth your friends. Don't forget the hashtag #WOL4EVA and the link if you want others to know what you're talking about!