Come, The (Immersive) Revolution!

But, let’s be clear, touch input is still 2D.

Back to the present, or rather the present and near future. Immersive interfaces give us the opportunity to interact with computers in full 3D. I can use very natural human interaction, gaze, gesture, one to one 3D pointing, picking and other naturalistic methods. I ask you this. Have you used an Oculus Rift with touch controllers? With this technology, we can place you in a virtual place and let you pick up objects, press buttons, fire guns, wave at other characters or “live” people. If there are multiple people in that space we can mimic emotions gestures, facial expressions and more. Already, we have a pretty good approximation for being a human being in a virtual space, and this will only get better.

Plus, I can use voice as input and output. Or, I can indicate my interest with my gaze or a gesture with my hands and arms. In fact, immersive technology allows us to be much more natural, more human in the way we input our intentions to computers; and how we interpret or understand the results. Think about how awkward a phone or Skype call is. We cannot read all those other cues we get from meeting face to face. Immersive technology gives us the opportunity to tune into these kinds of communication cues with each other over the internet. AND with virtual characters powered by AI.

Immersive technology, coupled with AI allows today’s computers to respond in a human way. We have the ability to create digital characters, who respond to our gestures, voice, eye contact, our very human nature, in a very human and natural way. By coupling immersive input, visuals and audio to AI, we can create digital humans to interact with, in a far more human way than ever before. Imagine having your very own teacher, with all the patience of a Saint. I have noticed one of my children prefers Alexa to help him with his spellings because he can ask how to spell something time and time again, without any impatient huffing on the fourth or fifth request (I feel slightly guilty confessing this). The next step is for Alexa to have a human form, understand when he is pointing at something and be able to spell that. A one on one teacher designed to work at exactly my son’s speed and capability - the opportunity for a bespoke curriculum at his preferred pace and maximise his learning. Or a narrative in which I am a cast member and the whole performance is being put on for my benefit alone. Each character telling their part of the story with me in mind and responding to my actions and questions. This is three-dimensional computing, based all around us, understanding every human gesture we make and reflecting back to us in a way we have been learning from birth - by being human. And for me, this is the next revolution.

Dream Reality Interactive have recently embarked on a hugely exciting new project, backed by Innovate UK, and in harmony with Maze Theory and Goldsmiths University. Our aim is to develop characters, all based in the compelling world of Peaky Blinders, with AI-driven non-verbal communication. For our consortium, this is one step towards the next revolution.