UCLA shows off a GeForce-powered augmented reality sandbox (video)

Posted on Wednesday, August 12 2015 @ 20:28 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
UCLA researchers show off an impressive augmented reality simulation of a sandbox, letting users sculpt the sand into mountains, canyons and rivers, then fill them with water or even create erupting volcanoes. While NVIDIA uploaded the clip to highlight its running on a GeForce, the simulation doesn't require a lot of power as it runs on a GeForce GTX 750 Ti.
Powered by GeForce GTX 750 Ti and OpenGL, the Augmented Reality Sandbox lets users sculpt mountains, canyons and rivers, then fill them with water or even create erupting volcanoes. The UCLA device was built by Glen Glesener and others at the Modeling and Educational Demonstrations Laboratory in the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, using off-the-shelf parts and regular playground sand. Any shape made in the sandbox is detected by an Xbox Kinect sensor and processed with open source software, then projected as a color-coded contour map. Liquids flow over the surface with realistic motion.

The Augmented Reality Sandbox is mobile and can be set up in any classroom, allowing students and researchers to see their creations come to life in color and in real time.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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