Technology

Virtual Reality (VR) is a buzzword that is everywhere today, whether in the gaming and movie worlds of entertainment or in the practical would of industry. Still, this is a term that we have heard since the first 3D movies from the 1950’s, and it has come in and out of vogue since then. Recently, however, VR has made a resurgence and is positioned to truly change the way we perceive our information and the world itself. But, what is virtual reality, and where did it come from? Here is how it works. We have two eyes that see what is in front of us from two slightly different points of view. This small difference is what gives us depth perception. Our brains take these two images, run them through an algorithm, and then allow us to perceive depth, or 3 dimensions. Wh...

The Virginia Zoo is unveiling a new technology that will take Zoo visitors on an immersive tour to meet and learn more about its animal residents. The Zoo’s Augmented Reality Tour is a collaboration with Life Preserve and ECPI University. The tour features 12 stops around the Zoo and provides a learning adventure about the animals, their counterparts in the wild, conservation efforts for the species, and even behind-the-scenes footage. photo by Virginia Zoo “We are excited to partner with Life Preserve and ECPI and leverage technology to further enhance our visitor experience,” said Education Manager, Michelle Lewis. “This exciting tour provides guests with an insider’s look into our animals. Photos and videos allow visitors to explore and discover even if the ...

Pull Up A Chair! The ECPI University Rams Hearthstone Team Hosts Another Fireside Gathering Fireside Gathering events are a tradition for those who play Hearthstone, a strategy card game based off the World of Warcraft lore. The event brings gamers of all ages and skill levels together to face each other in one-on-one matches, square off in Tavern Brawls, and enjoy each other’s company.  ECPI University’s Rams Hearthstone team’s Firesides have also featured Hearthstone-themed food created by Culinary Institute of Virginia students and exciting raffle prizes, such as Hearthstone-themed accessories and books. But the best part of the events is meeting new players and getting a chance to connect with others who love debating the best meta deck and finding that perfect moment...

Just about everyone has heard the term Augmented Reality (AR) in the tech news lately. Whether it be something like an augmented Google map, the game everyone went crazy over, Pokemon Go,  or Apple’s AR integrations in the new iPhones, Augmented Reality is coming soon to most all our mobile devices. Well great, but what is it, and how do we employ it for something useful? Augmented Reality Display Augmented Reality is a mixture of virtual reality and the camera on your phone. It simply puts images over your camera view, so you can see images overlaid on the picture. These pictures, or assets, can be anything from images and videos to 3D models and animations. Where VR puts you in a virtual environment in which you can interact with all the various assets, AR mixes the “real real...