Technical experts have succeeded in allowing people to steer their avatars in virtual worlds like Second Life by standing opposite a screen. By jumping, bending backwards, forwards, left or right it is possible to get the avatar to walk in the desired direction. It is also possible to fly by using certain movements of the hands. This is nice step forwards but there is still a long way to go.

Mitch Kapor and Philippe Bossut from Kapor Enterprises experiment with 3DV Systems that are able to measure the depth of object in front of the lens. This makes it possible to steer an avatar by moving your body. Although a prototype has now been developed there will be nothing to see in the virtual worlds for some time, the camera is not yet for sale.

Future Vision by Erwin Van Lun on this article

Virtual worlds are becoming ever more real. In this example on a small screen in front of us later they will be projected life sized in front of us and, more importantly, around us. When we walk our avatar will walk in just the same way. When we speak our avatar will speak in exactly the same way (but in another language if necessary, or with a nice accent or with a gender switch if appropriate). When we look down at our own body whilst wearing the glasses we will see the avatars clothing rather than our own. Or no clothing if the avatar is naked. The virtual world is evolving into a more real world and our brains are having more trouble distinguishing real from virtual. Things are developing increasingly in that direction.

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