Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Haptics, Robotics, and Visualization Technologies Show How SIGGRAPH Drives Growth and Innovation

SIGGRAPH Contributors Emerging Technologies, Immersive Pavilion and VR Theater Demonstrate These Advances and the Evolution of the Technology

CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — SIGGRAPH 2023, the premier conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques, marks its 50th year of breakthroughs and innovation by highlighting the development of emerging technologies over the years. This year’s contributions will showcase developments in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, haptics, robotics and visualization technologies. The 50th Annual Conference will be held on August 610, 2023 in person at Los Angeleswith a companion Virtual Access component.

SIGGRAPH conferences often launch experimental developments and projects which are then used daily by the mainstream. These technologies evolve to become more complete and ready to be implemented in real applications. Scientists, engineers, artists, designers, programmers, researchers and inventors, among others, conceive innovations that have the potential to change the way consumers work, socialize and play in mixed reality and shared spaces.

“Technology is important to the SIGGRAPH community, and we have always worked to be the catalyst for technological advances that enhance and enhance the way people live,” said Dr. Mashhuda Glencross, SIGGRAPH 2023 Emerging Technologies Chair. “As technology moves to change the way we interact with computer-generated environments, data and people, our community is responding and wowing with more innovation. Historically, these emerging technologies and developments first being showcased at SIGGRAPH have made a major impact in the real world, and I expect no less with this year’s Emerging Technologies contributions.”

Advances in display technologies are a key focus of the SIGGRAPH 2023 Emerging Technologies installations, with developments in virtual reality headsets, near-eye displays and an AI-mediated video conferencing system. The “AI-mediated 3D video conferencing” project by Michael Stengel et al., is a 3D video conferencing system capable of autostereoscopically reconstructing and displaying a full-sized talking head using consumer-grade computing resources and minimal capture equipment. A head-mounted virtual reality display that can achieve near-retinal resolution, supporting a wide range of ocular accommodation and matching the dynamics of ocular accommodation is presented with the “Retinal-resolution Varifocal VR” installation by YangZhao et al. The “Neural Holographic Near-eye Displays for Virtual Reality”, from Suyeon Choi et al., has the ability to produce full 3D depth cues, correct visual aberrations, and reduce power consumption. A prototype holographic display, the installation will demonstrate how neural holography algorithms have taken significant steps towards unlocking this potential.

The Immersive Pavilion celebrates the evolution of augmented, virtual and mixed realities and connects past, present and future advances. This year’s content demonstrates the opportunities for collaboration and more immersive storytelling and emotional connection in a different reality. With “Heightened Empathy: A Multi-User Interactive Experience in a Bioresponsive Virtual Reality”, by Mark Armstrong et al., users are immersed in a VR representation of each other’s emotional states while also reflecting it for the audience. The three modes are designed to stimulate cognitive, emotional and compassionate empathy. From Ke Fan Lin et al., “Actuality: Seamless Live Performance With the Physical and Virtual Audiences in Multiverse” is a seamless live performance delivered for on-site and online audiences synchronously, allowing virtual and physical audiences to interact with each other in the multiverse. Both audiences are part of the performance and can influence the visual representation on screen or personal devices.

The SIGGRAPH 2023 VR Theater is committed to creating memorable experiences in an immersive storytelling world through its juried short films. The VR Theater presents the creations of those who work in a medium without walls or frames. This year’s showcase includes “Lustration,” by the executive producer Nathan Anderson, a four-part animated series that follows a group of characters from the real world and the afterlife. Viewers can actively explore the environment as they watch the illustrative art style, different camera angles with changing scenes, and perspectives that keep viewers engaged. From director Charuvit Wannissorn, ‘Luna: Episode 1 Left Behind’ is an interactive VR story about a robot and a little girl trying to survive an AI apocalypse. With branching storytelling and creative use of voice, the story uses a unique aspect of virtual reality where the audience embodies a character to feel part of the story.

Learn more about how SIGGRAPH 2023 is demonstrating the evolution of technology by reviewing content from Emerging Technologies, Immersive Pavilion and VR Theater in the full schedule. For more information about the conference, opportunities, or to register to attend in person or online, visit s2023.SIGGRAPH.org/register.

Learn about ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH 2023
ACCM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers and practitioners to inspire dialogue, share resources and address industry challenges. ACM SIGGRAPH is a special interest group within the ACM that serves as an interdisciplinary community for members of research, technology and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. The SIGGRAPH conference is the world’s leading annual interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. SIGGRAPH 2023, the 50th Annual Conference hosted by ACM SIGGRAPH, will take place live on August 610 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, along with a virtual access option.

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