VicRoads Virtual Worlds Lab

Using augmented reality applications for driver education

2010-07-12T16:20:00.003+10:00

The virtual world is increasingly integrated with the real world.

Virtual data laid over the real world embellishes reality; it can augment and extend services, as well as assist users in a customised way, according to their needs.

One application for VicRoads might be to help drivers better understand dangerous locations. Drivers could hold their smart phone up to a traffic black spot. A collision scenario, pertinent to the conditions at that intersection, could be played on the screen. Drivers would be made more aware of the risk and circumstances that prevail at that location. Data of the number of accidents at that location could also be accessed.

Just one problem : getting people to get out their cars before they do the exercise !

This video from the Netherlands shows how such a system might work:
'Layar Augmented Reality 2010: Discover, Play & Premier of the Floaticons'

Comments from the Lab Day Evaluation Survey

2010-07-12T13:45:00.002+10:00

Do you think the Immersive Web has a role to play in your strategic thinking ? (If not, why not, if yes, why?)

Respondents:

"Yes in terms of road safety education, our registration and licensing services, and our new projects were my initial thoughts."

"Potentially. We're challenged by our ability to get things funded so while I love the ideas, I can't see VicRoads dedicating funding to our ideas - as a priority."

" Yes. It has a lot of potential in how we deliver our learning and development program."

"I think it has to! Our audience is changing - we need to start thinking in this space strategically. We can't just continue to react - we need to be proactive."

"This is an insight into the future and provides ideas on what is possible".

"Yes, but it would be also a valuable internal communication tool, especially as we are an organisation with remote staff."

"Not immediately, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. It appears that environments have a big take-up initially, that then drop off ( like Second Life)".

"Yes, internally could help with meetings and conferences, bringing regional offices together. Possibly external but younger generation are used to XBox and PlayStation:
much better graphics and ease of use."

"I found the workshop to be..."

Respondents:

"...Very interesting and learned a lot about the power of new technology and how it can be integrated into work and home life."

"...Extremely interesting. I found that the practical experience made me thinking outside what I would normally do."

"...Interesting and insightful."

"...Great fun and informational at the same time. It was very hands on, which was great ! Also enjoyed the interactivity with Second Life and the chat with Chris ( Moore) in Edmonton."

"...Interesting. Eye opening."

"...Fun and engaging."

."...Useful. I wouldn't have looked at Second Life if I hadn't come today. It gave me a much greater appreciation of the interactive nature of the Web. Good balance of presentations and play time."

"...A good start to our thinking..."

Video Slideshow from the day

2010-07-11T08:41:00.000+10:00

On July first 2010 staff from Vicroads attended a 'Virtual Worlds Workshop' at Swinburne University in Hawthorn. The aim of the day was to explore the future potential of virtual worlds. After some initial discussions, participants created 'avatars' and were able to experience life in a virtual environment, exploring, designing, and socialising. They were then able to attend a virtual conference and tour by the CIO of the City of Edmonton in Canada, Chris Moore.

Presentation from Chris Moore - Fulfillment & Freedom

2010-07-11T07:44:00.000+10:00

Fulfillment & Freedom on Prezi

Presentation from Mandy Salomon: 'The world is increasingly immersive'

2010-07-10T22:14:00.002+10:00

Here's my presentation from the Lab Day.
Feel free to comment, and for those who were on a mid-year break, don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions.
The world is increasingly immersive

Location

2010-06-30T20:35:00.001+10:00

Hi to all participants, here is a map to assist you. You'll find the TD building on the second big yellow map. The TD Building is close to Park Street. We are looking forward to the day, and to meeting you all.

Mandy

Hawthorn Campus Maps

Download a Swinburne Hawthorn Map
PDF version of the Hawthorn Campus Map

Agenda

2010-06-30T10:06:00.000+10:00

VicRoads Virtual Worlds Laboratory July 1st, 2010

Location

Swinburne School of Business, Hawthorn

TD Building

Date Thursday July 1st, 2010

0900

Registration tea/coffee – TD 1 (Foyer)

0930

TD Building, TD121 (Level1)

Opening address: Megan Bird (Acting Director of Corporate Communication)

to discuss Vic roads/innovation/social media

1000

TD207 (Level2)

Mandy Salomon (Swinburne/Smart Services CRC)

1. Introducing Virtual Worlds

2. How might Vic Roads use virtual worlds for collaboration and to create new/extend

services.

1115

Morning Tea

1130

Move into Labs.

Dale Linegar runs orientation including registration, virtual orientation, avatar

creation, tour, interaction

1200

Orientation in Virtual World with facilitators Dale,

Craig and Mandy

1230

Lunch Rm TD229

1300

Participants 'hands-on' in Second Life (SL). Mandy, Dale and Craig are facilitators

1415

Chris Moore, 'Chris Silverblade', CIO City of Edmonton, Canada

Key Note 'Fulfillment and Freedom' Presented in Second Life.

Following this, Chris will escort us on a guided tour of Virtual Edmonton, in Second Life.

1500

Afternoon tea and plenary:

Discussion / Ideas to pursue/Evaluation of the Day

1600

Free time in SL

1630

Finish

Objects required

2010-06-30T08:43:00.001+10:00

Chris required a presentation board which would run one of his Prezi presentations.

This was created using the web on prim feature, simply a case of adding the URL into the appropriate field, scaling it so we are zoomed in on the presentation(not the whole web page) and it's ready for clickin'.

One issue with this was that when I checked it a week after I had originally made it, the prezi website format had changed slightly so the presenter was out of alignment. This needs to be checked again before the presentation.

We also needed a few gifts, both for Chris and the attendees. These were purchased from xstreet marketplace for a few dollars.

The cars will have custom license plates, which were made using Vicroads 'Vplate' website.

One issue with putting the plates on the cars was that most were already using the maximum amount of prims per vehicle. After struggling to make a single prim plate fit nicely on one car(they are at different heights and sl isn't accurate enough to skew the prim), I just removed the rear vision mirrors.

Locations we are using and visiting

2010-06-30T08:31:00.000+10:00

The talk shall be done in the Croydon Lecture Hall at Swinburne University's Koala Island.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Koala%20Island/160/66/36

We can use the Pharmatopia region as a back up if there are issues with his location on the day.

Building will be done at Victoria University's Island, which has plenty of free space at the moment for people to experiment in;

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Victoria%20University/58/136/21

We will also visit a wide range of locations, including;

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/52/49/30

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pharmatopia/18/242/22