Micro-Habitat Δ: An Immersive Cyber-Physical Natural Habitat Using Real-Time Robotic and Spherical Videography

As a project-based research investigation and experimental installation, developed at Kent State University’s Robotically Augmented Design (RAD) Lab, Micro-Habitat δ revisits human/nature relationship focusing on issue of “scale” and through the lens of immersive and interactive technologies as potential experiential mediums. As a bio-digital/physical user experience (UX) platform, different from previous operational telerobotic projects focusing on human/nature relationship, Micro-Habitat δ tries to question the possibility of scale shifts—in this case, scaling down to micro-scale—as a real-time immersive spatial/experiential medium. Using a combination of a physical mini-garden, real-time robotics, 360-degree spherical videography, real-time streaming, web-based interactions, and Virtual reality (VR) software/hardware platforms, Micro-Habitat δ is a curated immersive experience where its audience can interact with the installation at various scales/mediums; from human scale experience of the physical installation/mini-garden to the cyber-physical and digital experience of scaling down to the micro-scale of a bug and walking into the physical flower garden.