Collaborative Systems

Collaborative Ultra Resolution Environments: We use advanced networking and high performance computing clusters to create scalable, extremely high resolution displays called OptIPortals. We use these OptIPortals as a display platform for creating immersive links between geographically distributed sites using shared applications and large, high-definition video streams.
 
High Definition Video Conferencing: A number of our technology and applications projects explore the challenges of high-quality, low-latency video transmission for multi-site collaboration. We have a wide variety of HD video systems deployed and in progress, ranging from 2 Mb/s compressed conferencing systems to 1.5 Gb/s uncompressed telepresence environments.
 
Multitouch Interaction: Using computer vision techniques, we are able to build low-cost multitouch interaction systems. We are exploring how these systems can be used to develop novel forms of interaction that can be used to improve multi-site collaboration.

Applications

University Research Corridor Collaboration Testbed: We are in the process of deploying a variety of high-performance collaborative technologies on the Michigan Lambda Rail, a regional optical network that connects the University Research Corridor institutions. In collaboration with Wayne State University, we implemented a 1.5 Gb/s uncompressed high-definition video conferencing link between our two campuses to support the STIET graduate traning program.
 
Connection Project: A predecessor to VISIT, this project developed, deployed and evaluated a series of next-generation conferencing capabilities within the School of Information. The project created HD video and data conferencing links between conference rooms at SI North and West Hall. These rooms are the primary production conferencing facilities at the School of Information.
 
Visualization in the Wild: In collaboration with other academic units at the University of
Michigan and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), we have been
working to bridge the research objectives of computer scientists with
the scientific needs of atmospheric scientists. The department of AOSS
(Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences) has deployed a 50 million
pixel OptIPortal for use in research and teaching. We are conducting a field study of the use of this system using ethnographic methods.
 
Shadow-based Collaboration: Shadow based collaboration overlays a remote participant's shadow onto your screen. Developed for use in rapid response applications, shadow based collaboration enables two remote users to interact with independent data sets over a common map. Evaluations suggest that overlaying the shadow image of a collaborator on a shared workspace improves performance in shared distributed visual tasks, better supports communication and the establishment of common ground between collaborating parties, and improves confidence and satisfaction and reduces frustration in performing the visual tasks, compared to the customary videoconferencing setup.
 

eSocial Science Technologies

Sensor Networks for Social Activity (SeNSA): We use wireless sensor networks to unobtrusively measure social activity in physical spaces by using environmental monitoring data to infer when and where conversations are taking place. We are using visualization and machine learning techniques to create activity-aware public displays.
 
Aware Environments: By integrating small cameras into the bezels of our OptIPortal tiled displays, we are able to capture and process video of people using collaborative ultra-resolution environments. We use computer vision techniques to characterize aspects of use, such as attention shifts and gaze direction.<>
 
 

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