Stream Me Up
Beam yourself to distant alien lands using the power of virtual reality in this interactive installation
With the help of four Kinect sensors and a virtual reality headset, a playful SXSW Interactive installation gave participants the chance to see a transmission of themselves beamed to a series of alien environments.
Artist James George was acting technical director for the project, dubbed Stream Me Up, collaborating with Microsoft Studios for art direction and featuring design from Something Savage.
The experience of being transported into these unknown lands was created with four calibrated Canon 5D Mark III cameras, paired with Kinect sensors that capture six seconds of action. You then watch your virtual self as you are teleported away from the spaceship screen. Next, you are led to a seated area - and with the help of an Oculus Rift VR headset you explore three alien environments and interact with local lifeforms. Monitors display an overview of the Oculus display, enhancing the interactivity as you can also see what other participants are getting up to.
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