Starting as an XR Specialist at Studio X meant that I needed to learn about all the hardware and software that we provide for use to patrons and utilize ourselves in projects. We have such a wide variety of tools for all different purposes, so it was really cool to work through each device and really understand how they work and the best places and times to use them. For example, I had never used a 3D scanner like the EinScan.
I first encountered the idea of virtual reality (VR) when I read the book Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. As an avid reader of science fiction books, I loved the idea of being able to escape to some virtual world through a VR headset. Soon after I read the book, the movie was released and seeing the concept executed in a visual form only increased my interest in the subject. Despite my fascination, I took it as the book genre labeled it. Fiction.
There is a strong emphasis on fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration in extended reality (XR) at Studio X. Over 50 researchers across the UR use XR technology for their research and teaching, and many come to Studio X for consultation and advice in either program development or engineering.
This summer, I worked full time at Studio X. Even though the campus felt pretty empty with almost all the other undergrads home for summer, there was a lot going on in Studio X! For example, for two weeks in July, we held a pre-college program called “XR: Content Creation and World Building.” In this program, high schoolers came all across the country to learn about the world of extended reality or XR.
This past summer, due to COVID-19 distancing restrictions, a UR student inquired about virtual meeting spaces to foster community in lieu of our physical library spaces. We all miss the pre-pandemic opportunities to meet up and chat. The serendipitous catch-up on campus after class or in between meetings isn't really possible these days and poses a considerable problem for community building.
Understanding how experience and exposure to trauma changes the brain could improve diagnosis and targeted care for conditions like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez, Ph.D., assistant professor of Neuroscience, has been studying this topic for the past several years and was awarded a new $3.5 million grant to use virtual reality and MRI to look into the circuitry of threat, reward, and cognitive mapping in
23 years ago, The Matrix introduced the idea of humanity living inside of a computer simulation. While moviegoers at the time wrote it off as a fictional piece of work, in the present day, we are much closer to that all-encompassing, technological world with the metaverse. Despite the promise of virtual worlds, there are still legal challenges and questions that echo those we face in the real world.
Antonia Forster is a Senior XR Technical Specialist at Unity, a TEDx speaker, and an award-winning DE&I consultant. As a neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, self-taught female developer, Antonia has a unique perspective and is passionate about using her voice and technical skills to make space for under-represented or marginalized individuals. Antonia has been shortlisted for Nature's John Maddox Prize, the Women in IT "Advocate of the Year" award, and won the YTKO Breaking Barriers award for her impactful advocacy for women in tech.
Check out the the insights and achievements that shaped Studio X's remarkable first year! Take a moment to explore our inaugural annual report and join us in celebrating our accomplishments.
Karp Library Fellow, Ayiana Crabtree ’22 joined the Studio X team in February 2021 as our inaugural XR Research Fellow. For her first research project, we asked Ayiana to focus on XR and the humanities. Immersive technologies share a natural connection with STEM fields, and the planned Studio X space will also be located on the first floor of Carlson Science & Engineering Library. However, Studio X supports all faculty and students on campus and fosters an interdisciplinary community of practice.
