CHICAGO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 13, 2018 — SIGGRAPH 2018, the world’s leading annual interdisciplinary educational event showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques, has announced juried selections for its Emerging Technologies and Studio programs. The 45th SIGGRAPH conference will take place 12–16 August at the Vancouver Convention Centre. To register, visit s2018.SIGGRAPH.org.

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FairLift: Interaction with Mid-Air Images on Water Surface © 2018 The University of Electro-Communications, JST PRESTO (Photo: Business Wire)

The SIGGRAPH 2018 Emerging Technologies program plans to expand the boundaries of technology’s future in three core areas of the human experience: health, home, and entertainment. The internet of things, the quantitative self, and immersive technologies have matured, and the new data systems that support these innovations are now making way for more interconnected technologies. The program’s tagline is “Changing the Human Experience.”

“This year’s program showcases a variety of health and medical research focused on personal wellness as well as new home technologies that redefine modern living. Emerging entertainment technologies that focus on the changing ways we approach sports, games, and active watching will also be present,” said SIGGRAPH 2018 Emerging Technologies Chair Gerry Derksen. “I am excited to offer attendees examples of not only the leading edge of innovation but also new system relationships, highlighting the consequences of integrating these technologies into modern life.”

Highlights include:

SEER: Simulative Emotional Expression Robot
Creator: Takayuki Todo (independent)
SEER (Simulative Emotional Expression Robot) is an animatronic-humanoid robot that generates gaze and emotional facial expressions to improve animated expression, life- like facial movement , and emit emotions by the integrated design of modeling, mechanism, materials, and computing. The robot can simulate a user’s movement, gaze, and facial expressions detected by a camera sensor.

Spherical Full-Parallax Light-Field Display Using Ball of Fly-Eye Mirror
Creators: Hiroaki Yano, Tomohiro Yendo, Kohei Matsumura, Akane Temochi, Masaki Yamauchi, and Hiroaki Matsunaga, Nagaoka University of Technology
This image display is an optical system design for a full-parallax spherical light-field based on the time-division multiplexing method. The system offers features that are distinct from existing systems that make it suitable for specific uses, such as a digital signage and art exhibitions displaying images that seem to hover in space.

FairLift: Interaction with Mid-Air Images on Water Surface
Creators: Yu Matsuura, The University of Electro-Communications, and Naoya Koizumi, The University of Electro-Communications and JST PRESTO
FairLift is an interaction system involving mid-air images, which are visible to the naked eye under and on a water surface. The system provides an experience for users to scoop up a mid-air image with their palms by cupping water in their hands to hold the image .

Fusion: Full Body Surrogacy for Collaborative Communication
Creators: MHD Yamen Saraiji and Kouta Minamizawa, Keio University; and, Tomoya Sasaki, Reo Matsumura, and Masahiko Inami, The University of Tokyo
An upgrade to SIGGRAPH 2017’s MetaLimbs (winner of the “Best in Show” award), Fusion is a telecollaboration system that allows two participants to share the same point of view and physical space for remote operation and collaboration. The system is designed as a backpack, and is operated in three different modes: direct collaboration, enforced body guidance, and induced body motion, enabling effective communication.

With a tagline of “If You Can Dream It, You Can Make It,” the SIGGRAPH 2018 Studio will present a variety of hands-on, interactive installations and workshops. Workshops are led by industry professionals and cover a wide variety of topics with graduated levels of difficulty. Attendees will have the chance to start with the very basics and learn a new skill, or jump in at an advanced level and polish off an existing project they’ve already been working toward.

Nik Aberle, SIGGRAPH 2018 Studio Chair, said, “Our program offers attendees a place where collaboration and interactivity merge to create an experience unlike any other. Utilizing both new and old technologies, attendees are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and bring their wildest ideas to life. Our workshops and installations are all project-based, providing attendees with a truly unique, hands-on learning experience. With something for everyone, the 2018 Studio promises to be a unique source of education, professional growth, and fun.”

Highlights include:

Design Engine Community Project: Generate Quick Adhoc Inventions to Explore at SIGGRAPH and in the Studio
Ultimaker
The Studio will host a brand-new, SIGGRAPH edition of "The Design Engine" card game, a constantly revolving series of design challenges hosted within the Studio. Participants can join for a short startup round, or stick around to design and develop their projects using the tools available in the SIGGRAPH Studio Workshop.

Immersive Previz: VR Authoring for Film Previsualization