Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 10:06:16 -0500 From: "Eric J. Pierce" To: boston-vr-announce@world.std.com Subject: BVRG Nov. 98 Meeting - Synthetic Characters Group, MIT Media Lab THE BOSTON VIRTUAL REALITY GROUP PRESENTS SWAMPED! A 3D INTERACTIVE CARTOON WITH KENNETH B. RUSSELL SYNTHETIC CHARACTERS GROUP MIT MEDIA LABORATORY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1998 MEDIA LABORATORY (BLDG E-15) MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS ________________________________________________________________ Join the Boston Virtual Reality Group and Ken Russell of the MIT Media Lab Synthetic Characters Group for an interactive presentation of their latest work, Swamped! Swamped! is an interactive 3D cartoon in which the user assists "K.F. Chicken" in foiling the attempts of the raccoon to eat his eggs. Each character has a distinct personality and decides in real time what it should do based on its perception of its environment, its motivational and emotional state, and input from its "conscience," the guest. By manipulating an instrumented stuffed animal corresponding to a given character, the guest can influence how it acts and feels. The system showcases research in autonomous character design, automatic camera control, tangible interfaces and action interpretation. Swamped! is written in Java with a custom 3D graphics API for real-time performance. The meeting will begin downstairs in room 054 (unless otherwise posted). We will then proceed upstairs to room 358 for an interactive demonstration. Prompt arrival is requested. MEETING DETAILS: --------------- When: Thursday, November 19, 7:00 PM EST Location: Room 054, then 358 (Additional info will be posted in the downstairs lobby) MIT Media Lab (Building E-15) 20 Ames Street Cambridge, Massachusetts By T: Get off at the Kendall Square Station on the Red Line. When you come to the surface you will be at the end of Main Street where it is more like a wide bricked pedestrian area in front of the Marriot Hotel. Walking to the end of the block toward Central square will put the Marriot on the right. The corner of the Marriot complex where Legal Seafoods is will be the corner of Main and Ames. Take a left onto Ames Street. The Media Lab is the only silver tiled building on the street and will be on your left. By Car: Ames Street runs between Main street and Memorial Drive, near Kendall Square in Cambridge. It is one-way going from Main to Memorial. Your best bet is to either look for parking near Kendall Sq. and follow walking instructions (By T) above. *OR* you could look for parking along Memorial Drive and walk up Ames Street the other way. If you're interested in coming and don't know how to get to MIT or even Cambridge, MA, instructions from all highways are available upon request via e-mail to ejp@world.std.com. More directions can be found at the following URL: http://casr.www.media.mit.edu/groups/casr/directions.html ======================================================================= Boston VR Group - A Gathering of Minds for Cyberspace Development: The Group meetings are a great way to meet others who are "actually" developing Virtual Environments. Whether you have an interest in the discussions, 3-D modelling, interactively generating and/or coding virtual worlds, or somewhere in between, there lots to do and talk about!!! Boston VR Group Philosophy: The purpose of the Boston Virtual Reality Group is to provide an ongoing venue for developing virtual environments as well as a forum for bringing scientists and developers together with VR enthusiasts/potential users. Through actively exploring both the technology and its cultural implications, exposing each to the other's thoughts and ideas, and "learning from" and "sharing with" industry leaders, we can help shape the future of this medium. ====================================================================== FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: ------------------------------ Director BCS-VRG: Brenden C.Maher Speaker Requests: brenden@media.mit.edu voice: (617) 308-0599