Low-cost immersive technology for collaborative examination of model output

Christopher Moore and Al Hermann
Pacific Marine Enironmental Lab, OAR

Immersive stereo visualization is a tremendously powerful tool for the examination of complex ocean and atmospheric model output. At NOAA/PMEL, we have implemented a broad range of immersive visualization techniques for such analysis. Our approaches have ranged from simple red/blue anaglyphs, through high-end technologies such as the ImmersaDesk.

A promising new low-cost (under $10k), large-screen, passive-stereo technology based on commodity hardware (a "Geowall") has recently been installed for use within a single investigator's office, and deployed as a portable system. Here we will describe and demonstrate the portable Geowall technology with a stereo-enabled web browser, open-source 3D visualization software (Vis5d), and commercial visualization software (vGeo). We will also demonstrate collaborative immersion between the ImmersaDesk and the Geowall, and discuss future possibilities for low-cost immersive collaboration between investigators at remote laboratories.