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News  
College students invent virtual 3-D wayfinding kiosk 13 Oct 2008 WORCESTER, Mass. — Two Worcester Polytechnic Institute students have invented a whole new campus perspective — a 3-D one, in fact — with the "WPImap Kiosk."
The technology stems from a required-for-graduation student research project and has been adopted by the university's admissions office in the Bartlett Center as a means to help prospective students, parents and current students better explore and learn more about WPI's campus. The kiosk, which is located in the university's Campus Center, houses a 3-D virtual map of the campus and allows the user to "walk around" campus in a virtual setting.
But if walking seems too "last century," users also have the option to "hop on" a Segway human transport vehicle — invented by one of WPI's most famous alums, Dean Kamen.
This invention started as an Interactive Qualifying Project — one of three projects WPI students must undertake before graduation — and was completed last spring by students Alexander Schwartz of New Fairfield, Conn., and Elisabeth Beinke of Norwalk, Conn.
"Not only is the kiosk a great tool for visitors to explore WPI's campus in a virtual environment, but it is also a great example of the innovative work our students are doing," said Edward J. Connor, WPI's director of admissions. "I enjoyed working with the team of students throughout the year, and their final product exceeded my expectations. The attention to detail and the accurate depiction of the campus in the virtual environment is amazing."
Akin to a 1980s arcade game, the kiosk features a joystick and trackball, and users can navigate around the 3D environment in real time, viewing all of the buildings and campus landmarks in photorealistic detail. Outside the virtual Bartlett Center, home of WPI's admissions and financial aid offices, players will notice a Segway. Upon stepping onto it, a full campus tour starts, complete with a virtual tour guide and a scripted path through all of the academic and residential buildings. The map will be continually developed and updated as the WPI campus evolves.
©2008 NetWorld Alliance LLC. All rights reserved.
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