Voices of VR
#1550: “EchoVision” Answers the Question ‘What is it like to see like a bat?’ with Mixed Reality, AI, & Haptics
Mar 29, 2025
Jiabao Li, a multi-disciplinary artist and assistant professor at UT Austin, discusses her innovative work 'ECHOVISION.' She reveals how mixed reality and LiDAR technology simulate bat echolocation in an immersive experience. Listeners learn about the artistic exploration of bat communication through AI and haptics, including an interactive haptic couch. Li also shares insights from a field trip to witness a bat colony, emphasizing the significance of understanding human and non-human intelligence and the ecological impact of her projects.
45:34
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Quick takeaways
- EchoVision uniquely combines mixed reality and haptic elements to replicate bat echolocation, enhancing our understanding of non-human sensory experiences.
- The project not only engages participants with immersive technology but also educates them on bat ecology and conservation efforts through real-world exploration.
Deep dives
Echo Vision: An Innovative AR Experience
Echo Vision is a groundbreaking phone-based mobile AR experience designed to replicate echolocation, akin to how bats navigate their environment. Participants use a 3D-printed bat mask equipped with a LiDAR scanner, which detects sounds and generates visual representations of echolocation through shaders. The experience features a 'balloon cave' where users can explore various pillars while employing sound to interact with their surroundings, simulating how bats perceive their environment. This innovative approach invites users to explore sound dynamics, embodying an extraordinary immersive interaction.
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