Current

Entertainment Technology Center

Virpets (Virtual Puppets) combine traditional puppeteering techniques with the ability of a computer to render virtual characters in a virtual environment. The characters are based on computer-generated models, which are endowed with movable "skeletons" that define points and axes of motion. The movements of these characters are then in turn controlled with variety of input devices, such as familiar joysticks, MIDI controller boards, or custom input hardware. The puppeteer orchestrates a live performance by operating these input devices, directing the motions of the virtual "actor" in much the same way as a marionette. [Fall 2001]

e-mOcean
	The mH2o B-Sides' "em-Ocean" project is an online experience of both music and narrative, where guests can control customized graphical characters in a dynamic world. Based on the work of mh2o.com, this virtual night club is a prototype that will allow members to free their music. [Fall 2001]

Master Motion
	Train one-on-one with a virtual Tai Chi Master while receiving continuous feedback on your performance. Explore a tranquil Chinese lake setting in virtual reality, no wires attached, thanks to our state-of-the-art optical motion capture system and a wireless head-mounted display. [Fall 2001]

Jam-O-World
Musica
	Musica is a collaborative experience for the Jam-O-Drum targeted at children of age seven or older and centered around basic musical notation. One to four play a musical game inpspired by a classic arcade concept. Players cooperate and learn together in this novel form of interaction. [Fall 2001]
Jam-O-World
	Jam-O-World is a social installation that brings together groups of people for collaborative gaming and music-making experiences. Players use novel input devices to control real-time computer graphics that are projected onto the tabletop surface. [Fall 2000-Spring 2001]

Interactive Animatronics Initiative
	Introducing Horatio "Doc" Beardsley, the world famous Austrian inventor! Okay, so he's not "real"...just don't tell him that. But he is the first ever interactive animatronic character who you can have a conversation with. Come and meet "Doc", your timing is perfect. We just received video feeds from his latest interview! [Fall 2000-Fall 2001]

Interact
	The ETC has been working with the Interactive Theater of Carnegie Mellon's Human Resources department. Our students are creating a training tool to assist Faculty and Staff understanding about sensitive workplace issues such as race relations, sexual harassment, and organizational change. [Spring 2001-Fall 2001]

Cybersecurity
	For this now completed project, the ETC worked in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DoD), the Caregie Mellon Research Institute (CMRI), Carnegie Mellon's Masters of Software Engineering (MSE's), and the Concurrent Technologies Coporation (CTC) to improve the current state of cybersecurity training. [Fall 1999-Spring 2001]

Earth Theater

Coyote 210
	Could some ETC students make a non-violent nature-themed 3d game for the Earth Theater of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History using the Unreal Tournament engine? Visit this site to find out. [Fall 2001]
Cretaceous Chaos
	In Cretaceous Chaos visitors to the Earth Theater are invited aboard a time machine and catapulted back in time 72 million years to the Cretaceous Period! When a routine research expedition takes an unexpected turn, the audience must take control if they are to ever make it home. [Spring 2001]

Pirates!
	Aaaarrrgh! Be a part of an adventure with Captain Merry Nellie and learn how to be a pirate as you travel along the high seas for treasure! But be careful, someone might just want to get your treasure. [Fall 2000]
Prehistoric Canyon Run
	The first time ETC students were unleashed on this project sought to create an interactive, educational pre-show for the Earth Theater at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA. [Spring 2000]

Virtual ETC
	For this project, a model of doc Beardsley was created and animated in 3D Studio Max, using medium-complexity morphing targets and inverse kinematics for the animation, to use in the integration of realtime 3D rendering technology with an interactive character. As always, the goal was to create engaging entertainment content. [Spring 2001]

EROShambo
Dialog Engine
	A joint venture between the ETC and Angel Studios. Together they created a software tool which allows authors (not programmers) to take written character dialog and transform it into interactive character conversation. [Spring 2001]

The Mound
	[Spring 2001]

EROShambo
	The EROShambo project investigates new technologies for the creation of a "smart-theater" in which live performers, virtual reality puppets and robotic characters can be combined. Our work was focused on the implementation of virtual-reality characters in this setting. [Fall 2000]

The CUBE
	The CUBE (Computer-driven Upper Body Environment) is an experimental 360º display technology, specifically designed for real-time interaction. There has been a great deal of work and research done with both Head-Mounted Displays and full-sized CAVE environments. The CUBE is a vehicle for exploring the space that exists between those two extremes. [Spring 2000]

RatMaze of VR
	The Rat Maze of VR allows an individual to control another person's virtual environment by administering specific elements of manipulation in real-time. This tool provides a means to explore the myriad of techniques needed to develop non-linear interactive storytelling. [Spring 2000]

Interplanetary News Network (IPNN)
	The Interplanetary News Network is a project designed as a component of a prototype kiosk package for guests at a Location Based Entertainment facility. [Fall 1999]

Synthetic Interviews
	An outgrowth of the research to create simulated characters, synthetic interviews provide a means to converse in depth with a character or the captured sense of a real live person. This technique permits the use to ask questions in a conversational fashion, just as they would if they were interviewing the persona.

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