Applying 'Second Life' to a CAVE™-like system for the elaboration of interaction methods with programmable interfaces

With its multiple types of interaction scenarios both between people and between people and objects in virtual space, ‘Second Life’ can be used as a platform for both social and technological research. Set up in a stereoscopic environment, the Open Source Viewer is implemented in a technological framework for iteratively creating, evaluating and optimizing appropriate input/output patterns and interface metaphors for immersive environments. Focus of R&D are the real-time interaction methods rendered possible by a programmable Interface. Thus, the Ars Electronica Futurelab has developed a technological framework based on own R&D results. The framework consists of an interaction wrapper (Palmist), a distribution engine (ARSBOX) [Berger et al. 2004] and a render unit (VRizer) [Berger et al. 2005].