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Honors Seminar student projects

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“Human-Computer Interaction in the Age of Extended Reality & Metaverse” student projects

Spring. 2024.  UC

Under the guidance of Ming Tang, Director of the XR-Lab at Digital Futures and DAAP, UC, this honors seminar course has propelled students through an immersive journey into the realm of XR. The course encompasses Extended Reality, Metaverse, and Digital Twin technologies, providing a comprehensive platform for theoretical exploration and practical application in XR development.

The coursework showcases an array of student-led research projects that investigate the role of XR in various domains, including medical training, flight simulation, entertainment, tourism, cultural awareness, fitness, and music. Through these projects, students have had the opportunity to not only grasp the intricate theories underpinning future HCI developments but also to apply their skills in creating immersive experiences that hint at the future of human-technology interaction.

 

 “Human-Computer Interaction in the Age of Extended Reality & Metaverse” is a UC Honors course that delves into the burgeoning field of extended reality (XR) and its confluence with human-computer interaction (HCI), embodying a fusion of scholarly inquiry and innovative practice.

Ming Tang, Professor, Director of XR-Lab, DAAP, University of Cincinnati

Students: Nishanth Chidambaram, Bao Huynh, Caroline McCarthy, Cameron Moreland, Frank Mularcik, Cooper Pflaum, Triet Pham, Brooke Stephenson, Pranav Venkataraman

Thanks for the support from the UC Honors Program and UC Digital Futures.

P&G Metaverse

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Title: Leveraging Metaverse Platforms for Enhanced Global Professional Networking – Phase 1

Ming Tang, Principal Investigator

Amount: $32,416

Funding: P&G Digital Accelerator.

Gotal: Metaverse technologies for global engagement. Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Human. Immersive visualization. 

  • P&G Team. : Elsie Urdaneta, Sam Azeba. Paula Saldarriaga, JinnyLe HongOanh
  • UC Team: Ming Tang, Students: Nathaniel Brunner, Ahmad Alrefai, Sid Urankar

In Phase 1 of the “Leveraging Metaverse Platforms for Enhanced Global Professional Networking” project, conducted in partnership with P&G, the XR-Lab proposes a pilot study aimed at identifying and analyzing the top five metaverse platforms best suited for professional networking and conferencing. 

Example of XR-Lab in Hyperspace

UHP Spring 2024

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ARCH3051. UHP Spring 2024 course: 

Human-Computer Interaction in the Age of Extended Reality & Metaverse

Ming Tang. Professor, Director of Extended Reality Lab (XR-Lab). UC Digital Future.

Institute for Research in Sensing (IRiS); Industry 4.0 & 5.0 Institute (I45I)
School of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Design Architecture Art and Planning
Class Time: T. TH 12:30pm – 1:50pm. Spring Semester. 2024. 

Location: 4425 E CGC Lab @ DAAP

Note: This course is open to UG students in the UC Hornos Program. 

Prerequisite: There are no skills needed as prerequisites for this introduction-level course on XR.

Course Description:

This seminar course focuses on real-world problem solving using extended reality applications, with an in-depth investigation of the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI) with immersive visualization technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality(AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Metaverse, and Digital Twin. The class will explore the new immersive experience in the virtual realm and analyze human perceptions through various sensory inputs. Students will learn both the theoretical framework and hands-on skills on XR development. The course will provide students with exposure to cutting-edge AR/VR  technologies at the Digital Future building. Students are encouraged to propose their own or group research on the subject of future HCI with XR.

Course Goals:

Students completing this course will be able to

  • Identify the real-world problems which might be solved through XR technology.
  • Identify the opportunities and challenges of building an inclusive metaverse accessible to everyone.
  • Identify theories and research methods related to XR and Metaverse.

The student will join a series of lectures hosted at the XR-Lab at the UC Digital Future building

  • History and theory related to XR (VR+AR+MR)
  • Emerging trends related to the Metaverse and its impact on the society
  • Theories related to Simulation & Simulacrum
  • Digital Human: perception and spatial experience
  • Biometric data and sensory technologies

Besides the theories, students will gain hands-on skills and demonstrate the development of XR techniques.

  • VR development or
  • AR development

Required Text(s): none

Recommended Text(s): various online lectures and readings

Students are strongly encouraged to look at Metaverse-related products and publications. As students develop their own research, these resources become invaluable in terms of inspiration and motivation. The instructor supports all attempts by students to experiment with techniques that interest and challenge them above and beyond what is taught in the classroom.

Required Materials: 

  • Access to a computer at CGC Lab at DAAP.
  • VR headset (Optional, provided by XR-Lab)

Software: Unreal Engine 5. . available at DAAP CGC Lab.

Schedule for each week.

  1. History and the workflow of metaverse development 
  2. Project management at GitHub (Inspiration from the film due) 
  3. Modeling ( XR vignette proposal due)
  4. Material & Lighting (Project development start) 
  5. Blue Print, node-based programming 
  6. Character and Animation
  7. Interaction and UX @ deploy to XR
  8. Project development time
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  16. End-of-semester gallery show at DF building

Examples of student projects on XR development

“Reality is just the beginning.”

Kao Metaverse

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The University of Cincinnati, through its Digital Futures complex, will work collaboratively with the UC Center for Simulations & Virtual Environments Research, Lindner College of Business, UC DAAP XR-Lab, and Kao to develop concepts and a minimum viable product for a Jergens virtual tanning experience called the ‘Glowverse.’

KAO-STP-Glowverse VR retail project. GLOWVERSE VIRTUAL SPA (VR) development. UC-SIM + XR-Lab +College of Business. Funded by KAO.  PI: Chris Collins. Co-PI: Ming Tang, Noah Van. $52,122. Period: 2.2023-11.2023.

  • UCSIM Project Lead: Chris M. Collins, Center for Simulations & Virtual Environments
    Research
    UCSIM Technical Lead: Ryan Gorsuch, Center for Simulations & Virtual Environments
    Research
  • UC DAAP Design Lead: Ming Tang, Director of XR-Lab. Registered Architect, RA, NCARB, LEED AP (BD+C),
    and Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Design,
    Architecture, Art, and Planning
  • UC LCOB Marketing Lead: Noah Van Bergen, Asst. Professor, Marketing, Linder Business
    Honors Faculty, Carl H. Lindner College of Business