1. Virtual Worlds, where did they come from, how are they used, and how can they assist us in devising strategy for the future? Arlington Institute Energy Workshop (1/7/2003) I. Origins of the visual interface II. Uses of virtual worlds III. Acknowledgements and Resources IV. Demo of environments V. Virtual worlds in scenario visualization- discussion

2. I.Origins of the visual interface Bush (Memex), Nelson Engelbart’s vision SRI - NLS 1968 – Mother of all Demos E&S 60s–1970s

3. Visual Interfaces – Xerox PARC and elsewhere, 1970s-80s

4. 3D interfaces - evolution 1970s wireframe to solid to ray traced - SIGGRAPH Alvy Ray Smith – PARC to PIXAR Early 80s SGI Real time rendering Immersive VR Commodity Virtual Worlds/Internet – 90s-2000s

5. II. Uses of Virtual Worlds Early uses of 3D Interfaces Simulation – weather, aerodynamics, cold war Render to film – Hollywood and TV Experimental informational interfaces

6. II. Uses of Virtual Worlds Geographical Information Systems GeoFusion textured 3D model of earth with real satellite imagery

7. II. Uses of Virtual Worlds Geographical Information Systems Overlay of real time data – Salt Lake Winter Olympics locations

8. II. Uses of Virtual Worlds Geographical Information Systems Progressive texturing – Swiss Alps

9. Far Frontiers of 3D environments Evolutionary virtual worlds (Sims, Biota.org) Modeling the large and the small scale (cosmology, quantum dynamics) Tele-immersion

10. The “killer app” of 3D - Gaming The original Maze War - ARPANET 1970s-80s DOD simulation and training 1990s – Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM 2000s Massive Multiplayer Online Gaming

11. Projects of the Contact Consortium & Digital Space 1995-2002 Alphaworld cityscape Learning spaces Collaboration spaces Cyber-conferences NASA mars mission simulation Universal simulation platform

12. Alphaworld cityscape – a public building space on the net 300,000 users as “avatars” 1 Billion objects placed since 1995

13. Learning Spaces Virtual walk on the moon with Apollo IX astronaut Russell Schweickart

15. Collaboration Spaces – Datafusion “war room” for Monsanto

17. Cyber-conferences

18. Cyber-conferences – Avatars2001 a cyberspace odyssey

20. Cyber-conferences – Avatars2002 a merry cyber party

22. NASA Mars Mission Simulation – Life aboard the FMARS habitat

24. NASA Mars Mission Simulation – Modeling mars from orbit

25. MOLA and surface texture data creating a real time model of Mars surface that is “walkable”

26. NASA Mars Mission Simulation – Drive on Mars – MER rovers

27. Universal Simulation Platform 2003 platform from Digital Space Embodies best of breed 3D and 2D technologies Developed with Adobe and multiple industrial partners Real word and abstract simulation, multi-user for distance collaboration, standard web plug-in Repurposes NASA work to government and industry simulation for design, training, visualization, user interfaces Possible use with Arlington Institute’s LISA

28. III. Acknowledgements and Resources DigiBarn Computer Museum, Computer History Museum Datafusion Inc. Monsanto, Safety-Kleen NASA Ames Research Center Active Worlds Inc. Adobe Systems Inc. GeoFusion

29. III. Acknowledgements and Resources This presentation is at: www.digitalspace.com/presentations/arlington-energy/ www.digitalspace.com/presentations/arlington-energy/ Contact: damer@digitalspace.com, 831.338.9400damer@digitalspace.com Arlington Institute: www.arlingtoninstitute.org www.digitalspace.comwww.digitalspace.com The Digital Space Commons www.ccon.orgwww.ccon.org Contact Consortium www.biota.orgwww.biota.org Digital Biology Project Virtual Windmill: www.digitalspace.com/dm3ds/virtual_windfarm/index. html www.digitalspace.com/dm3ds/virtual_windfarm/index. html Drive on Mars: www.driveonmars.comwww.driveonmars.com

30. III. Demo of Environments V. Virtual worlds in scenario visualization- discussion

31. V. Virtual worlds in scenario visualization- discussion Helping policy and business leaders understand the whole picture, complex systems and relationships (local to planetary level) Modeling and simulation for design of systems, engineering, testing, iteration Selling of concepts to communities (ie: how will a wind farm affect my neighborhood’s home values?)

32. VI. Bonus!

33. “Escape” in Finite State Fantasies (1976) by Rich Didday