Category: AR

 When seated on the Magic Bench, one sees a mirrored image on a large display, creating a third-person point of view. The scene is reconstructed using a depth sensor, allowing participants to occupy the same digital 3D space as computer-generated characters or objects. The bench’s haptic actuators provide vibrations that let users feel the presence of the CGI characters and objects. The technology identifies the location and number of participants, and can infer where they’re looking.  Different formations of people create various types of experiences. While not described in the Disney research paper, rehabilitation and therapy applications are an obvious next step for the technology. (Click to view the Disney Research video.)