UbiWorld: an environment integrating virtual reality, supercomputing and design

Summary form only given. UbiWorld is a concept that ties together the notion of ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) with that of using virtual reality for rapid prototyping. The goal is to develop an environment where one can explore Ubicomp-type concepts without having to build real Ubicomp hardware. The basic notion is to extend object models in a virtual world using distributed wide-area heterogeneous computing technology to provide complex networking and processing capabilities to virtual reality objects. Starting with the CAVE/sup TM/ family of display devices, we integrate tools for the construction of 30 objects into the existing library. Then, using these objects as models, we can embed new information technology within them. The plan is then to couple the virtual objects to remote computers via fine-grain heterogenous computing technology to provide Ubicomp behavior and functionality to the modeled objects. We tightly couple the process-defined behavior with the 30 objects and place these objects into rooms, creating a shared virtual world where users can experiment with using the virtual devices. Each object in the world has its behavior controlled by a program running some place on the network. This behavior could be one that in the real object would be provided by a local computer or by a combination of local computer and network connection to remote processors or databases. These "behavior" processes are able to communicate with each other using a shared protocol (UbiWorldcomm). These object also react and are influenced directly by interactions with the virtual world and users.