Augmented Reality Sandbox, A Map That Uses a Microsoft Kinect to Let Users Shape Its Topography

Christoper Young captured some video of the Augmented Reality Sandbox, a project created by the UC Davis Department of Geology that utilizes a Microsoft Kinect to created a real-time interactive augmented reality map projected on a literal sandbox–which users can manipulate by moving around piles of sand.

The goal of this project was to develop a real-time integrated augmented reality system to physically create topography models which are then scanned into a computer in real time, and used as background for a variety of graphics effects and simulations. The final product is supposed to be self-contained to the point where it can be used as a hands-on exhibit in science museums with little supervision.

The Sandbox was inspired by video of a similar project created by Czech researchers.