Body SPIN - Project Desription

SPIN is a three metre diameter trackball that one walks inside of.As the trackball rotates beneath your feet,the motion is taken over to a virtual space and projections of that space are cast upon the translucent walls of the ball.The effect isone of taking a stroll inside a virtual space.There is no forward,there are no goggles or other impediments,freedom of movement in spite of the space restrictions sets SPIN apart from other interfaces.The rolling motion is used to control navigation in a virtual space -the expression walk-through obtains real meaning at last.

Body SPIN is an application of the SPIN interface

Body Spin aims at researching behavourial patterns in a simulated environment thatincorporates the user ´s body rather than trying to overcome it.The research focus lies not only in the consequences of a VR-System on the user ´s body, but moreover in the influence of our physical presence on the parameters ofsuch a system and its feedback upon the body (loop).

Clients begin their experience in BodySpin in the central world, theInverted Reality System, where they start to move and to get used to this new wayof walking. From this space there are portals to other environments.The bodily functions breathing, heartbeat and degree of muscle activity areused in order to obtain an overview of the biomechanical state. The resulting valuesare used to control aspects of three specially programmed environments; Pulse Fall,Brain Maze and Breath Surf.

Breath Surf
-the users breath frequency triggers a series of waves inside the dome,the aim
being to catch a wave and surf on it.
Brain Maze
-brain activity and skin resistancy decide upon the complexity of a maze that is
being generated inside the dome,an „alert but calm state “will make it the easiest to
pass.
Pulse Fall
-trying to balance on a platform that levels according to the user ´s pulse rate

The previous material is extracted from both the may and october reports. I strongly recomend reading the October report for a more detailed explanation of Body SPIN including further detail and images regarding the various environments. It can be downloaded <here>. Furthur information and current updates can also be found at http://timesup.org/spin/