About the Imagine Lab
The Imagine Lab is located in Wold 118 and is a interdisciplinary space that aims to help students develop a human-centered and culturally sensitive philosophy, sensibility, and ethic around emerging technologies to better navigate implications and impact. The Lab is equipped with a variety of Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality tools as well as 360 video and photography equipment. Students and faculty can reserve and use our virtual reality equipment, use our 360 cameras, use our computers to create VR content or just stop by to learn more. See the full equipment list below.
The Lab is a hub for exploring digital innovation, mobilizing with hands-on, learner-centered programming that brings together students and faculty to analyze data, visualize information, ideate, experiment, and integrate digital technologies to enrich learning within and outside the classroom. This new hub will impact and strengthen undergraduate education through intellectual inquiry, new pedagogies, and immersive student-faculty research. The space provides a spot on campus to connect College constituents from different fields, areas of expertise, and diverse backgrounds to invoke productive debate, stimulate rich collaboration, tackle complex questions, spark creative solutions, and imagine the unimaginable.
The Lab is staffed by Maker Corp work study students and all faculty and students are welcome to stop in any time during our open hours with questions or to schedule time use our equipment and investigate our resources. Please see our full hours below and reference the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page for more information on engaging the technologies in the Lab. If you want to reserve equipment for use in the Lab or if you have any questions use the links below or just stop by the Lab during our open hours.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN INQUIRY
IMAGINE LAB SPRING 2022 SCHEDULE
EQUIPMENT
HTC Vive x 1
Oculus Go x 2
Oculus Quest x 2
Osloon 3D headset for phone x 6
Insta360 Pro Camera
Theta S 360 Camera
DEFINITIONS:
It is useful to distinguish between the immersive technologies offered in the Imagine Lab as they require different hardware and software and the output and learning opportunities vary greatly. For clarity it is important to build a specific and shared language around 360 media (360), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR).
360 Media (360)
360 media can come in the form of 360 degree images, videos or scans. Images can be captured with most smart phones but higher quality images and 360 video often require specialized devices such as the Ricoh Theta or Nikon Keymission 360. 360 scans are actually 3 dimensional data that require specific laser scanners and software to capture and edit. All of the above can be considered content and can be viewed on a computer screen or using VR, AR and MR technologies.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Technology where Users are completely immersed in a computer-generated reality. Virtual reality is the most well-known of immersive technologies and generally involves a headset that entirely blocks out the outside environment. Some headsets require a smart phone that acts as a screen with a button to interact with the content while others have integrated screens and hand held tools for interaction.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Technology that overlays digital information on the real world. Rather than provide a fully immersive virtual experience, augmented reality enhances the real-world with images, video, text, and other virtual information via devices such as heads-up displays, smartphones, tablets, smart lenses, and AR glasses
Mixed Reality (MR)
A mixed-reality environment goes a step beyond augmented reality because users can interact in real-time with virtual objects that are placed within the real world. These virtual items will respond and react to users as if they were actual objects.
FAQ and ENGAGING THE IMAGINE LAB:
Q – How can I integrate the Imagine Lab’s technologies and functionality into my teaching/research?
A – Visit our website to learn about the technologies, then visit the Lab and see a demo of the tools and technologies and existing use cases and finally contact us to begin brainstorming how your interests can be matched with the right tools and technologies.
Q – How can I access the Imagine Lab?
A – The Imagine Lab is open to anyone in the Union Community and has regular posted operating hours. It is staffed with well-trained Maker Corp work study students who can show you around, demo the tools and get you started.
Q – How do I learn how to use the tools and technologies offered by the Imagine Lab?
A – Visit the Lab or check out our website for upcoming training events and resources. This Fall term we will host tours, demonstrations to introduce novices to the technologies, workshops where you can follow along on your computer and learn the software to create your own experiences and we also host online video tutorials if you want to continue your learning outside of the Lab.
Q – Do I have in depth knowledge of the tools and technologies to experience VR and AR environments?
A – No! We have several premade or purchased educational environments where one can simply put on a headset and get started. There is no prerequisite training required to use our viewing equipment.
READY TO USE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCES
Tilt Brush Organon 3D The Lab Google Earth VR
The VR Museum of Fine Art Lifeliqe VR Museum Apollo 11 VR Rome Reborn: Fly Over
Rome Reborn: Basilica Rome Reborn: Colosseum Rome Reborn: Forum Rome Reborn: Pantheon
Nefertari: Journey to Eternity Job Simulator The Blu The Physiology of the Eye
TUTORIALS:
Virtual Reality Video Tutorials
Augmented Reality Video Tutorials