Technical requirements and resources have recently come to a level where an affordable fully projected hemi-spherical dome system can be realized without the use of specialised mirrors or lenses.
This opens up the possiblity for them to be used more widely for temporary immersive installations for exhibitions. As content, photo-based virtual tours are one scenario this can be used for. Screen-based virtual tours have existed for a long time (at least 10 years), but lack a degree of immersion, which this system can offer.
Using the dome projection system as a prototype the goal is to utilize it for presenting virtual tours. As the setup is vastly different to a computer screen with a mouse and keyboard, new interfaces have to be designed to both symplify and demystify the experience, which is still new to most people.
My project will lead to the design of such an interface, using the possibilities of virtual tours and providing a fun and functional user experience.
