Google Cloud's Immersive Stream for XR and other AI technologies are powering Sphere's upcoming "The Wizard of Oz" experience. This interactive exhibit lets visitors step into the world of Oz through a custom-built spherical stage with 100 million pixels of projected video, spatial audio, and interactive elements. AI played a crucial role in creating the experience, from generating realistic environments and populating them with detailed characters to enabling real-time interactions like affecting the weather within the virtual world. This combination of technology and storytelling aims to offer a uniquely immersive and personalized journey down the yellow brick road.
This post introduces rotors as a practical alternative to quaternions and matrices for 3D rotations. It explains that rotors, like quaternions, represent rotations as a single action around an arbitrary axis, but offer a simpler, more intuitive geometric interpretation based on the concept of "geometric algebra." The author argues that rotors are easier to understand and implement, visually demonstrating their geometric meaning and providing clear code examples in Python. The post covers basic rotor operations like creating rotations from an axis and angle, composing rotations, and applying rotations to vectors, highlighting rotors' computational efficiency and stability.
Hacker News users discussed the practicality and intuitiveness of using rotors for 3D rotations. Some found the rotor approach more elegant and easier to grasp than quaternions, especially appreciating the clear geometric interpretation and connection to bivectors. Others questioned the claimed advantages, arguing that quaternions remain the superior choice for performance and established library support. The potential benefits of rotors in areas like interpolation and avoiding gimbal lock were acknowledged, but some commenters felt the article didn't fully demonstrate these advantages convincingly. A few requested more comparative benchmarks or examples showcasing rotors' practical superiority in specific scenarios. The lack of widespread adoption and existing tooling for rotors was also raised as a barrier to entry.
Thomas Kole's project offers a 3D reconstruction of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, circa 1519. Built using Blender, the model aims for historical accuracy based on archaeological data, historical accounts, and codices. The interactive website allows users to explore the city, featuring key landmarks like the Templo Mayor, palaces, canals, and causeways, offering a vivid visualization of this pre-Columbian metropolis. While still a work in progress, the project strives to present a detailed and immersive experience of what Tenochtitlan may have looked like before the Spanish conquest.
HN users largely praised the 3D reconstruction of Tenochtitlan, calling it "beautiful," "amazing," and "impressive" work. Several commenters pointed out the value of such visualizations for understanding history and engaging with the past in a more immersive way. Some discussed the technical aspects of the project, inquiring about the software used and the challenges of creating such a detailed model. Others expressed interest in similar reconstructions of other historical cities, like Constantinople or Rome. A few commenters also delved into the historical context, discussing the Aztec empire, its conquest by the Spanish, and the modern-day location of Tenochtitlan beneath Mexico City. One commenter questioned the accuracy of certain details in the reconstruction, prompting a discussion about the available historical evidence and the inherent limitations of such projects.
This blog post explores how video games can induce motion sickness and offers developers practical advice for mitigating it. The author explains how conflicting sensory information between visual motion and the vestibular system creates motion sickness, highlighting common culprits like field of view, camera acceleration, and head bob. The post advocates for robust accessibility options, suggesting features such as adjustable FOV, camera smoothing, disabling head bob, and providing comfort settings presets. By incorporating these considerations, developers can create more inclusive gaming experiences for players susceptible to motion sickness.
HN commenters largely agree that motion sickness in games is a significant accessibility issue, with several sharing personal experiences of being unable to play certain games due to it. Some suggest that developers often prioritize visual fidelity over comfort, neglecting those susceptible to motion sickness. Several commenters offer specific technical suggestions for mitigating the problem, including adjustable FOV, head bob reduction, and implementing "comfort modes" with features like vignette filters. A few mention that the prevalence of first-person perspective in modern games exacerbates the issue and highlight the need for more third-person options or improved camera controls. There's also discussion around the physiological basis of motion sickness and the varying susceptibility among individuals. One commenter suggests that VR sickness and game motion sickness are distinct experiences with different triggers.
Karl Guttag analyzes the newly announced "Halliday" AR glasses, skeptical of their claimed capabilities. He argues that the demonstrated "AI features" like real-time language translation and object recognition are likely pre-programmed demos, not actual artificial intelligence. Guttag points to the lack of specific technical details, reliance on pre-recorded videos, and improbable battery life as evidence. He concludes that the Halliday glasses, while potentially impressive AR technology, are almost certainly overselling their AI integration and are more likely sophisticated augmented reality, not AI-powered, glasses.
HN commenters discuss the practicality and potential invasiveness of the Halliday glasses. Several express skepticism about the claimed battery life, especially given the purported onboard processing power. Others question the usefulness of constant AR overlays and raise privacy concerns related to facial recognition and data collection. Some suggest alternative approaches, like bone conduction audio and smaller, simpler displays for notifications. The closed-source nature of the project also draws criticism, with some arguing it limits community development and fosters distrust. Finally, the high price point is mentioned as a significant barrier to entry.
The Vatican's website offers a free, immersive digital experience of St. Peter's Basilica. Users can explore high-resolution 360° panoramic views of both the Basilica's interior and exterior, including spaces not typically accessible to the public. This virtual tour allows detailed examination of the art, architecture, and religious significance of the Basilica, providing a rich and engaging experience for anyone interested in experiencing this iconic landmark from anywhere in the world.
HN commenters generally found the Vatican's digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica underwhelming. Several criticized the low resolution and poor quality of the 3D model, especially given the readily available high-resolution scans and photographic data. Others noted the lack of interactivity and limited navigation, comparing it unfavorably to other virtual museum experiences. Some suggested the project seemed rushed and poorly executed, speculating about potential internal politics or technical limitations at play. A few commenters expressed interest in a higher-fidelity version, but the prevailing sentiment was disappointment with the current offering.
Summary of Comments ( 10 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43631931
HN commenters were largely unimpressed with Google's "Wizard of Oz" tech demo. Several pointed out the irony of using an army of humans to create the illusion of advanced AI, calling it a glorified Mechanical Turk setup. Some questioned the long-term viability and scalability of this approach, especially given the high labor costs. Others criticized the lack of genuine innovation, suggesting that the underlying technology isn't significantly different from existing chatbot frameworks. A few expressed mild interest in the potential applications, but the overall sentiment was skepticism about the project's significance and Google's marketing spin.
The Hacker News thread linked has a moderate number of comments, discussing Google's blog post about the AI technology behind their upcoming "Wizard of Oz" experience. Several commenters express skepticism and criticism, while others offer praise or discuss related technical aspects.
A recurring theme is the apparent simplicity of the demonstrated interactions. Several users question whether the showcased capabilities truly warrant the "AI magic" label. One commenter points out the generic nature of Dorothy's responses and questions the necessity of advanced AI for achieving such basic interactions. Another echoes this sentiment, suggesting the demonstration might be easily replicated with simpler, rule-based systems. This skepticism towards the "AI" branding is a significant part of the discussion.
Some commenters dive into more technical speculation. One suggests the system likely utilizes pre-recorded lines and clever prompting rather than sophisticated natural language generation. They also raise the possibility of human intervention behind the scenes. Another user speculates on the use of large language models (LLMs) but questions their effectiveness for truly dynamic and unpredictable interactions. This technical discussion provides an alternative perspective to the marketing-focused language of the original blog post.
There's also discussion about the potential applications and limitations of this technology. One commenter, while acknowledging the limitations of the current demonstration, expresses excitement about the possibilities of creating immersive and interactive narratives. Another, however, dismisses the project as a mere marketing ploy, questioning its practical value beyond generating buzz.
A few commenters express concern over Google's broader AI strategy and the ethical implications of such technologies. One user criticizes Google's tendency to overhype its AI advancements and questions the long-term impact of these developments.
Finally, some comments focus on the "Wizard of Oz" theme itself. One commenter draws a parallel between the Wizard's illusion and the perceived "magic" of AI, highlighting the gap between perception and reality. Another simply expresses excitement for the upcoming experience, regardless of the underlying technology.
In summary, the comments on Hacker News reveal a mixed reception to Google's blog post. While some express enthusiasm for the potential of AI-driven narratives, a significant number of commenters express skepticism about the actual technological advancements and criticize the marketing surrounding the project. The discussion revolves around the perceived simplicity of the demonstrated interactions, the potential use of simpler technologies behind the scenes, the ethical implications of AI, and the appropriateness of the "Wizard of Oz" analogy in this context.