Simulating Living Systems: Robotics, Virtual Reality and Computer Game Demonstration Showcase

Organisers:

• Dr Robyn Grant, Division of Biology & Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Dr Kevin Tan, Division of Digital Media & Entertainment Technology, Manchester Metropolitan University

Overview:
With the constant advancement of new technologies, humans are spending more and more time interacting with simulated or augmented living systems. This could be with physical entities - such as robots, toys or puppets - or with augmented or virtual systems - such as in computer gaming. This demonstration showcase will introduce a range of simulated entities, including robots, virtual reality, augmented reality and computer games. This demonstration addresses the theme of Measuring Behavior two-fold. Firstly, the study of human and animal movements and behaviours have formed the basis of these entities. Secondly, how humans interact with these life-like entities is also a large area of study. We will be presenting a range of simulated entities in this showcase, detailing the methods to enable them to be life-like, and discussing how humans interact with them.

Schedule: Thursday 7th June, 16:00 - 17:30, Exhibition area

Contributors:

• Dr Kevin Tan, Division of Digital Media & Entertainment Technology, Manchester Metropolitan University – Computer games and behaviour
• Dr Martin Stoelen, School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, University of Plymouth - Bio-inspired robotics
• Dr Martin Pearson, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England- Bio-inspired Robotics
• Dr Ben Mitchinson & Prof Tony Prescott, Sheffield Center for Robotics, University of Sheffield - Bio-inspired Robotics and Human-Robot Interactions
• Dr Maria Panagiotidi, School of Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Staffordshire University – Human interactions with computer games
• Mr Tor Yip, Project Officer in Augmented Reality, Manchester Metropolitan University – Augmented Reality