Virtual reality

Main Content

Virtual reality

Background
Virtual reality allows the development of immersive 360° environments which allow the user to interact with 3d models of organisms. With the aid of a 3d headset and controllers, the user can observe and manipulate the models.
Professional game developing software such as Epig Game's Unreal Engine allow the creation of photorealistic environments. The user can now interact in an immersive 360° setup.

The exhibition room contains various information of the organism. A prominent figurine allows the user to even see small details of the shell. The smaller blue model on the right pillar can be picked up and manipulated.

Simple interaction with a 3d model (CT scan) of a Spirula shell.

Scientific information about the organism are displayed as poster.

Geographic information of sample sites are retrieved as 3d maps. 2d maps above help to identify the location on the globe.

More background information on the environment, sample sites, and organisms are presented as illustrative artwork.

A dedicated room provides information on funding, acknowledgements, and copyrights.

Predation

Predation is a major biotic interaction by which the predator can leave recognizable traces in the skeletal hard parts of the prey item. By tracking predatory patterns and behavior through time, shifts of these parameters are used to interpret evolutionary pathways.

Functional morphology

Functional morphology describes the adaptation of organisms to their environment. These adaptations are often the result of pressure such as biotic interactions and abiotic influences. Engineering techniques, such as structural mechanics are used to understand structural adaptations.

Taphonomy

Taphonomy examines the alteration of organisms and their remains after the death of an individual, as well as alterations of biotic traces. Understanding taphonomic patterns, signals and filters are used to interpret ancient environments based on biotic remains and traces recovered from the fossil sedimentary record.

Computational analytics

Computational analytics promote calculations of large data sets and their visualization. Especiallt analyses and visualizations of 3d models are useful methods to understand the integration of structures.

Biomimetics

Biomimetics is an integrative approach combining biology and engineering sciences. Evolved biological structures often provide solutions for today's technical challenges. Finding principles in organisms that improve or lead to the development of new technical systems is the aim of biomimetics.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality provides a platform that allows the analyses and presentation of 3d data in an 360° immersive environment.