  
The Responsive Workbench
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- German National Research Center for Computer Science (GMD)
Project : contact: Wolfgang Strauss, Bernd Fröhlich, Gerold Wesche
Email : bernd.froehlich@gmd.de
URL : http://viswiz.gmd.de/VMSD/PAGES.en/projects.workbench.html
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Description
Aims
The Responsive Workbench concept is an alternative to the muliti-media and
virtual reality models of the past decade. In this new concept the user
no longer experiences simulations of the world on the computer, but the
computer is (invisibly) integrated into the user's world. Everyday objects
and activities become inputs and outputs for this environment. For instance,
objects are displayed on a table in 3D.The user interacts with this virtual
scenario, manipulates it as if real, and upon request obtains information
from the computer in the background.
Scenario
Virtual objects and control tools are located in a real "workbench". The objects,
displayed as computer generated stereoscopic images are projected onto the surface
of a table. The computer screen is changed to a horizontal, enlarged workshop
version and replaces the two dimensional flat screen. This new corresponds to the
actual work situation in an architect's office, at surgery environments, on the workbench,
for three-dimensional atlases, etc.
The work action is virtual. A guide uses the virtual working environment while several observers
can watch events through shutter glasses. The guide operate within a nonimmersive
virtual reality environment. Depending
on the application, various input and output modules can be integrated, such as
gesture and speach recognition systems wich characterize the general trend away
from the classical human machine interface. Several guides can work together
locally or use global communication networks such as broadband ISDN. "Responsive
Environment", consisting of tracking systems, cameras projectors and microphones,
replaces the traditional computer workstation. Thus the computer is increasingly
adaptated to human needs.
Technical Information
Applications :
Based on current research projects on the field of computer graphics, human
computer interfaces and visualization, the following applications have been
embedded in this new type of environment:
- nonsequential medical training: The scenario is based on a real sized model
of a patient, who could be examined in any detail through the zooming operation.
Especially important are the dynamic aspects, like the beating heart and the blood
flow inside of it.
- surgery planning: real datasets from computer tomography (CT) or magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) measurements are visualized using isosurface techniques
and semitransparent rendering.
- virtual windtunnel: A car is shown in a typical prototype size 1:4 with
some precomputed streamlines. The stylus now serves as a particle injector to
examine any area around the car in greater detail.
- three-dimensional simulation of design and discussion processes in architecture
and landscape planning.
More Information...
Bibliography :
"Intuitive Interfaces and responsive enviroments" Imagina proceedings, 1995, pp 253-261
Abstract :
Inter-faces of the body in responsive environments The identification with the
computer as a "second self" (Sherry Turkle) can be explained by the active control
through special interfaces. Stronger than visual or acoustical impressions, it is
through our movements that we experience the sense of presence in virtual space.
We navigate with interfaces which allow for the most intuitive kinds of interaction.
So far the human being and the computer were connected by awkward devices; not only
by eyephone and dataglove, but also by mouse, keyboard and joystick. We are however
moving toward natural human interfaces: navigation by means of eye-tracking and by
motion, gesture- and speech-recognition, using the body as interface and representation.
Our special contribution is the development of imagination systems, where people
can actively be involved in the process of an arising work. This led us to a close
cooperation between artists and scientists in creating works to simulate virtual
realities, their sensory perception and manipulation.
In our view, the computer has
to act as an intelligent server in the background, providing necessary information
across multi-sensory interaction channels. The visitors reaction, emotion, thoughts - his senses should dominate an interactive work - not the machine.
With the House of Illusion a walk-through navigation system is presented where the
viewer is a walker. In the spirit of Marcel Duchamp's statement "My feet are my
studio", the viewer navigates through Birlinghoven Castle, headquarter of the GMD,
which serves as the basis for the three-dimensional model which represents the
virtual castle as a building of information and illusion.
A wall sized projection screen and stereo glasses involve the audience into this
virtual environment. Voice control activates deeper levels of information on the
exhibits. One of the visitors guides the tour with the walking simulator placed in
front of the screen. The 'feeling of space' strongly corresponds to the movement of
the guide's body. Architectural space and its dimensions is experienced by the
perception of walking, hearing spatial sound and seeing stereoscopic images.
The Responsive Workbench a new device for Art and ScienceDesign is a process which
involves the calculation and checking of the supportive strength of thought
structures - a dynamic interaction between brain, eyes and hands. Spatial experience
is subsequently transfered into reality by the hand and the body. "The hand is the
exterior brain of man", as Immanuel Kant said. In virtual space we enter the
process of visual thinking, which does not only involve the eyes and the brain,
but also the entire body.
The Responsive Workbench concept has been developed as an alternative model to the
multimedia and virtual reality sytems of the past. With `Responsive Environments'
conventional dialogue concepts for man-machine communication are put into a
user-oriented shape, so that virtual objects and tools lie on a real workbench.
The objects appear as computer generated images projected onto this workbench.
The computer screen is reflected onto a horizontal, enlarged desk.
The user
interacts with the virtual scenario, and manipulates by means of motion, gesture
and voice. Through shutter glasses the whole scene can be viewed from any desired
angle. Seeing becomes a conscious experience of space like we know it from dance.
Some external links :
-
 Spatial Navigator
- http://viswiz.gmd.de/VSMD.en/projects.navi.html
- skywriter
- http://viswiz.gmd.de/VMSD/PAGES.en.projects.skywriter.html
- Web Space
- http://VISWIZ/VMSD/PAGES/.en/vrml/schloss.wrl
Some internal links :
- Same Author
-
 Cyber City Flights
Some more Comments :
information from a fax sent by M.Fleischmann
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