A giant’s perspective of a North West landmark will be among the experiences when the University partners with the Sensing Table Cape project later this month.
Led by digital technology experts from the School of Education, a research team has used drone footage to create a virtual reality 3D simulation of Table Cape called Walking with Giants.
Participants will don a VR headset, allowing them stand above the cape and learn more about it by picking up and exploring virtual objects.
“Viewers will actually feel like giants as they stand above a photo-realistic 3D scan of Table Cape,” the University’s Dr Zi Siang See said.
“They will see the cape from perspectives beyond our normal view, pick up objects as though they were toys and learn all about the local history and environment.”
The experiences include a recorded conversation with an avatar of the cape’s first lighthouse keeper, Robert Jackson, with the viewer transported back to 1888. Other objects reveal the geology of the cape and the story of its famous tulips.
Walking with Giants is part of several research projects the University is undertaking that explore the use of VR photogrammetry - the creation of 3D imagery from photographs.
Already it has led to funding for a feasibility study into the use of VR for training in industries including wind farm engineering.
“Walking with giants is an exciting outcome from the developing partnership between the School of Education and our community and industry partners in the North West,” Associate Professor Greg Oates said. “It has been a productive collaboration which has already led to further projects in educational technology and tourism contexts.”
Walking with Giants is part of Sensing Table Cape, a Business Northwest tourism project supported by the West x North West regional tourism organisation that will offer a novel sensory exploration of the local landmark. Other highlights include a self-guided sound walk experience and a projection mapped lightshow on the Table Cape Lighthouse.
The equipment and software acquired as part of the project will continue to be used by local educators, artists and students to develop creative content that showcases the region.
Walking with Giants is a free VR headset experience located at Wonders of Wynyard Visitor Information Centre and available during opening hours. Check out a video introduction here.