Holobody: Advancing the Future of Mixed Reality Technologies

Holobody is developing a new approach to interaction in virtual systems that focuses on moving the body as a whole rather than relying on gestural systems or hand controllers. We are creating and developing a series of Volumetric Interaction prototypes that map the body as a series of virtual volumes which move and interact in virtual space.

Since Volumetric Interaction systems do not rely on standard body shapes, sizes, positions or gestures, they can potentially be customised for specific bodies and movement abilities. We are exploring how to use our Volumetric Interaction prototypes to create custom interaction systems for people with different movement abilities through a studio-based process with dance artists with different movement abilities.

Dance Artist Caroline Bowditch. Image by Km Vincs

Dance Artist Dr Melinda Smith. Image by Casey Richardson

Many dance practices have frameworks for understanding movement that are inherently volumetric, for example, using elements such as shape, flow and energy. We are therefore using dance-based knowledges and practices to explore and develop this new form of interaction.

The project has two key lines of investigation. One is centred on functional outcomes for applications such as wheelchair use and training. The other focusses on the experiential effects of moving and dancing in these systems and the potential to facilitate awareness and enjoyment of one’s own movement/self.

Dance Artist Caroline Bowditch. Image by Adam Carr