Tired of your crummy, ground-floor apartment's view of that dank, garbage-strewn alleyway? Here's a clever solution for your scenic dilemma: Just install some virtual windows which, using a Wii Remote, can detect your movements and provide you with a number of stunning, head-tracking vistas.
Said technology is current under development by a tech-savvy couple who were recently highlighted by Reuters. The "Winscape" technology still needs a few refinements -- for instance, the necklace you have to wear to have your movements tracked is horrific, though that might be remedied when the couple switches out the Wiimote with a Kinect unit. Check out a video demonstration of the technology over on Reuters.
Reader Comments (24)
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 8:35PM JnRx said
Wii would like to.......*Error System Crash*....
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 11:00PM The Only Girl said
@Faenix
It was his one shot at a blue comment. Give him a break.
Reply
It was his one shot at a blue comment. Give him a break.
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 9:04PM Rakeesh said
I remember when they first put their website up about all this. It's a really interesting system but the necklace is what is the problem. It really only lets 1 person use it so it's more something to show off at a party.
I look forward to seeing how they can make it work with a kinnect.
I look forward to seeing how they can make it work with a kinnect.
Posted: Jan 23rd 2011 4:52AM TJF said
@Rakeesh The reason it only works for one is because it displays an image simulating the angle for one. Anyone else would see the angle as being off.
Until we get televisions that can beam individual images to individual people, it will always be that way.
Kinect will of course allow them to head-track instead of necklace-track though, so that's a plus.
Reply
Until we get televisions that can beam individual images to individual people, it will always be that way.
Kinect will of course allow them to head-track instead of necklace-track though, so that's a plus.
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 9:25PM MrAlex said
I saw this before and I swear it was on here, I'm probably wrong though.
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 9:45PM emirabal said
@MrAlex It was on engadget for sure in 2010 - April
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/winscape-virtual-window-features-wiimote-headtracking-absolutel/
Reply
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/winscape-virtual-window-features-wiimote-headtracking-absolutel/
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 9:52PM Faenix said
I'd be more impressed if it didnt require such a goofy "necklace"
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 10:59PM The Only Girl said
Wow! In the future we'll see...NATURE!
Posted: Jan 22nd 2011 11:48PM The Joy of Cooking DeMat said
@The Only Girl
I hope I live long enough to see that.
Reply
I hope I live long enough to see that.
Posted: Jan 25th 2011 8:59PM kevout said
@The Only Girl
This technology has legitimate uses. I live in a house where one of the bedrooms doesn't have windows - configuring a system like this to work with a camera outside the house would be incredible for reducing the claustrophobic feeling that can easily creep up in the room.
Reply
This technology has legitimate uses. I live in a house where one of the bedrooms doesn't have windows - configuring a system like this to work with a camera outside the house would be incredible for reducing the claustrophobic feeling that can easily creep up in the room.
Posted: Jan 23rd 2011 3:01AM Apoptosis said
That's pretty cool. Although if more than one person want to look out the window at once, the whole illusion is shattered. Even Kinect won't solve that
Posted: Jan 23rd 2011 3:23AM Oldtaku said
Yeah, this just screams for Kinect.
Though if you want more than one person to be head tracked at once you're gonna need those personal laser retina displays.
Though if you want more than one person to be head tracked at once you're gonna need those personal laser retina displays.
Posted: Jan 23rd 2011 5:02AM Ninbrendo said
"Welcome home, Marty. Lord of the manor, king of the castle."
Posted: Jan 23rd 2011 4:18PM Jacksons said
If my view was truly that bad, I'd opt for a cellular shade so you can at least get some light.
Posted: Jan 24th 2011 4:56PM Leiterfluid said
The guy who built this is a long time friend of mine. I got to see this in person a few months back. The website at http://www.rationalcraft.com/Winscape.html includes a how-to. Even without the motion tracking, it's wicked cool.
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