Categoría: VirtualReality

Embracing Creative Freedom: The Art of Experimentation in #XR

In the realm of #XR, there are still windows of unlimited possibilities waiting to be explored. As creators, we often find ourselves captivated by the allure of this immersive technology, eager to push the boundaries of our imagination.

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

In the realm of #XR, there are still windows of unlimited possibilities waiting to be explored. As creators, we often find ourselves captivated by the allure of this immersive technology, eager to push the boundaries of our imagination.

However, to truly harness the transformative power of XR, we must first grant ourselves the freedom to experiment without fear.

Experimentation is the cornerstone of creativity, serving as the catalyst for innovation and discovery. It is through experimentation that we uncover new techniques, refine our skills, and ultimately, forge new paths in the world of XR.

From my perspective and experience, it’s time to cast aside apprehensions and embrace experimentation wholeheartedly. «Experiment Freely» becomes a new mantra, an opportunity for creative liberation in the XR landscape. This mantra urges us to shed inhibitions, to break free from the chains of self-doubt, and to immerse ourselves fully in the vast array of creative possibilities that XR offers.

What can we understand by «Experiment Freely» in XR?

It means taking risks in experimentation, pushing beyond technological limitations and barriers, and using past learnings to explore, play, and innovate without restrictions. It means daring to dream big, challenging conventions, and exceeding expectations.

At the heart of this ethos lies a simple truth: the beauty of creative work lies in exploration, experimentation, collaboration, and empathy. It is through our willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible that we truly reach our full potential as creators. In the world of XR, this sentiment rings truer than ever.

Every new experiment is a learning opportunity, a chance to broaden our horizons and refine our art. With each new challenge, we come closer to mastering XR and unlocking its full potential for our creative careers. But this is just a fleeting step in a new direction, one that we cannot be certain where it leads, but it’s exciting.

Embracing uncertainty and venturing into the unknown is a risky and demanding path. A journey into the unknown alongside elements not necessarily prepared for this journey.

The world of XR awaits a new milestone yet to be discovered, ready to be shaped by our limitless imagination and unwavering determination. Let’s embark on a new journey, now.

You can visit some amazing references: #Music5Senses, #VIVALDI30, #MagicalandMysteryTour, and many more to come…

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

VIVALDI 3.0 THE JOURNEY. III

«Journey Through the Immersive Universe of Four Seasons» is an interactive xr experience that immerses viewers into the realm of Antonio Vivaldi’s musical masterpieces. Through visually compelling storytelling, participants will delve into Vivaldi’s creative journey as he breathes life into his renowned concerto «The Four Seasons.» Each season unfolds in a distinct and captivating environment, seamlessly blending natural elements and music to deliver a multisensory and enchanting encounter.

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

«Journey Through the Immersive Universe of Four Seasons» is an interactive xr experience that immerses viewers into the realm of Antonio Vivaldi’s musical masterpieces. Through visually compelling storytelling, participants will delve into Vivaldi’s creative journey as he breathes life into his renowned concerto «The Four Seasons.» Each season unfolds in a distinct and captivating environment, seamlessly blending natural elements and music to deliver a multisensory and enchanting encounter.

As artists, musicians, and creatives, we find ourselves at a true crossroads—a junction where making the right choices is neither easy nor singular. Beyond the numerous apparent opportunities before us, we must navigate financial survival and address the sustainability of teams, technicians, and the myriad fellow travelers who render our projects minimally viable and appealing to an ever-changing society hungry for new, distinct, and increasingly participatory experiences.

Our journey began over a decade ago with our first forays into immersive 360º recordings, collaborating with artists, musicians, and music classrooms. Here, we began to experiment and learn from the sensations and perceptions conveyed by users, students, and teachers.

One of the pivotal moments in our journey was the first live performance featuring renowned artists like Ouka Leele, where we embarked on an interactive interpretation inspired by the sounds of the Concerto de Aranjuez. It was a fascinating experience, devoid of prior rehearsals or experiential training, executed on a digital stage using Oculus Rift equipment and Tilt Brush from Google, and recorded in 360º stereo with Vuze 360º cameras. This opportunity to recreate Digital Ephemeral Art raised initial doubts regarding feasibility, sustainability, and monetization in more straightforward and economically accessible spaces, as we spared no means or resources for this performance. Crucially, this experience was made possible through the indispensable collaboration of CEV‘s technical team.

Later on, we delved into the world of reconstructing the virtual museum of the Arab Kunka (Cuenca ancient city)—a collaborative, immersive space within the Frame VR platform. Here, we established a connection between the virtual reconstructions of the Ancient Kunka during the Arab era and the music of the great musician and composer Chema Vílchez, particularly his work «The Land of the Three Cultures».

As visitors strolled through the ancient Arab fortress, its mosques, baths, buildings, markets, and streets, they were enveloped in the sound of music that transported them to bygone eras, while also being able to explore current spaces through 360º videos. This interconnection between virtual reconstructions, current videos, and music elevated the experience to a higher level, almost teleporting participants to that magical bygone time.

Years later, the Reina Sofia Higher School of Music presented us with a truly intriguing challenge. We were tasked with creating an experience using recordings from a classical music concert to reach students in their educational program who, due to pandemic-related time constraints, were unable to participate in workshops and concerts. This concert was recorded in the Sony auditorium of the school, utilizing 360º 4K cameras and ambisonic microphone technology. The acoustical characteristics of the auditorium are truly exceptional, enabling us to produce recordings of the utmost quality. We utilized Vuze and Zoom equipment, as well as VR devices from Pico, with technological support from HP.

This experience allowed us to craft 12 virtual musical stories centered around artists such as Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Respighi, where musical compositions intertwined with natural spaces, sensory explosions, and magical worlds, transporting visitors through 12 unique historical narratives. As a result of this endeavor, we developed «Music with the Five Senses,» which was implemented on a Virtual Reality platform and Pico devices, visiting hundreds of schools and educational centers nationwide over the years. Thousands of visitors have immersed themselves in this wonderful and experiential world, making it a true milestone and international benchmark as an immersive educational project centered around classical music.

The next stop on this journey is Vivaldi 3.0. The Journey to the Universe of Antonio Vivaldi and the Four Seasons, led by Ara Malikian and the Camerata of the Reina Sofia School, has been a mystical experience, with a predetermined start date and script, and a long journey through the forests of magical seasonal music. Along the way, we’ve encountered numerous passages and experiences that ultimately culminated in an absolutely magical work. This journey, based on Vivaldi’s original sonnets, reinterpreted by a team of writers and Ara himself, allowed us to rediscover the connections between music, nature, and the cycle of life. Throughout this process, we’ve painted on a virtual canvas, initially blurry passages gradually taking shape into a metaphorical interpretive tableau. Throughout this process, we’ve immersed ourselves in music and creativity, repeatedly playing with the tools offered by generative artificial intelligence, which helped us reinterpret passages and scenarios through Vivaldi’s sonnets and words, Ara’s interpretations, and our own way of composing this tableau, ultimately giving it a cohesive and coherent form. We aimed for it to be timeless, appealing to various types of audiences, inviting them to return to a childlike state and be carried away by the creative spirit of the compositions and the intersection with the cycle of life, both human and natural. And all this, with a commitment to sustainability, balance, equality, and educational vision through values inspired by the emotions and sensations we’ve gathered in the project. This is our way of contributing to the awareness of the need to accelerate societal transformation.

The first test to visualize the outcome of this initial step of the project was the concert held on January 29th at the Sony auditorium of the Reina Sofia School. It was a real trial by fire, where we had to present this new proposal for an interactive multimedia concert live to a select audience: students and teachers from various schools in the Community of Madrid. It was a multimedia experience where interactivity through monitors and screens, interactions among musicians on stage, Ara Malikian’s performance, his introductory messages for each movement, and images, passages, and videos related to the movements were put to the test.

More than 600 students from a dozen public and private schools in the Community of Madrid, accompanied by their teachers in two sessions, were able to enjoy this experiential session, with an extremely high level of satisfaction. And all this was made possible thanks to the perfect coordination between the ONE team and the production, audio, and video team of the School. We had top-of-the-line equipment and professionals of the highest caliber. The journey has only just begun, and this experience has allowed us to analyze and evaluate the initial results, and to envision how we can continue advancing and projecting new immersive experiences in the immediate future. We aim to enhance the experience by integrating 3D multimedia elements more extensively, as well as enhancing the pre- and post-concert experience.

Welcome to the interactive immersive world of Vivaldi 3.0. Step into a space where reality merges with imagination, where every corner is filled with magic, and music awaits you at every turn. As you enter the world of the four seasons, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vibrant landscapes pulsating with energy and creativity. Feel the thrill of immersing yourself in a world where the boundaries of reality blur, and your senses awaken like never before. Interact with the environment around you: touch, explore, listen, and engage with the elements inhabiting this fascinating world. Whether you get lost in enchanted forests or dive into the depths of the unknown, each experience is yours to discover and shape. Prepare to be captivated by the sights, sounds, and sensations enveloping you as you delve deeper into this immersive universe throughout the cycle of life.

So, welcome to a world where dreams come to life, and the extraordinary awaits you around every corner! Let your curiosity guide you as you embark on an exciting and unforgettable journey through the Interactive Immersive Universe of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Here are some figures reflecting and highlighting the extraordinary effort involved in this journey: An experience recorded and produced in 6 months, many locations, involving more than 50 professionals and over 4,000 hours of work, recording 4 live concerts with the attendance of over 1,000 people (students & teachers) from 20 schools. An immersive experience available on VR devices and the Web XR immersive platform, featuring 4 spaces, or «stations,» with interactive games, integration of 3D volumetrics, hundreds of photographic images, 10 hours of concert recordings in 8k, several terabytes of video and sound files, hundreds of hours of processing and post-production, hundreds of hours of editing and format integration…hundreds of images generated by AI to create virtual spaces and environments, artificial intelligence and image processing, 8K 360º cameras, ambisonic sound, creation of countless 3D assets…

8K Enables Immersive Vivaldi 3.0 Project

By Bob Raikes

…and this is just one of the stops on this magical and unique journey.

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

VIVALDI 3.0 THE PROJECT. II

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

«In the immersive universe of Vivaldi 3.0, we explore the Four Seasons from an innovative and unique perspective. In each season, you can discover the values of nature and how they are endangered by climate change, in a painting that gradually unfolds as we uncover the passage through each one of them. Water, air, earth, and fire blend with the music and sonnets of Vivaldi. The adventure ultimately leads us to discover these elements, revealing the mysteries of the seasons, immersing us in an interactive and visually stunning musical experience.

THE VISION:

Vivaldi 3.0 is the missing piece to recreate the puzzle of creativity and innovation in digital media and its projection into the educational and entertainment world, without forgetting the concerts on its multiple platforms.

A concept born from the fusion of ideas based on Vivaldi’s innovative work, the interpretation of the International Musician Ara Malikian, and a group of professionals in search of the natural evolution of the cycle of life. Integrating art, music, interpretation into the digital world, enhancing the values of humanity and nature, has been the fundamental key of this project.

A first step towards a new metaphorical universe, still to be explored, and in which we feel fully committed. Therefore, at the beginning of this journey, we set ourselves very clear objectives:

  • Contributing to the exponential growth of the digital sector in Spain and Europe, by designing and developing new content and interactive media through emerging immersive technologies.
  • Fostering and accelerating innovation in the sector by presenting a program based on the latest technologies with an innovative and cross-cutting hybrid format, focused on both national and international markets, while valuing European artistic heritage.
  • Bringing knowledge of creative arts and music to society, facilitating access, and democratizing their use through a hybrid platform that highlights the ability of creative arts to evoke emotions and bring people together.
  • Encouraging and accelerating the participation of a greater number of young women in the digital industry, promoting the employment of new generations, through promotion and dissemination in their usual channels, and the development of activities focused on them.
  • Promoting entrepreneurship in innovation, in the new professions and skills required throughout the development of this project, by requiring advanced knowledge in disruptive innovative technologies, which will necessitate specific additional training as part of the comprehensive training plan for the project team.

On the other hand, artists and musician’s collectives are demanding new approaches to reach audiences increasingly distant from traditional performance venues. Additionally, the detachment of young people from traditional models of participating in live events is directly impacting the current ecosystem of creators and artists in a significant way.

THE CHALLENGE

Therefore, in close collaboration with the Reina Sofia Superior School of Music, we set out to delve into the world of young people through education, in schools, seeking new approaches and participation in digital environments, such as video games and immersive experiences.

Addressing such a specific issue in the current complex scenario requires experienced partners, with a clear and focused objective at its core: Education.

In collaboration with the Reina Sofia Superior School of Music, we embarked on a journey to engage with young people through education, in schools and educational centers, seeking new approaches and involvement in digital environments, such as video games and immersive experiences.

The experience carried out in previous years by both organizations in schools across Spain, «Music with the 5 Senses”, has served as a reference point for us to continue advancing and improving on this path. The results obtained so far have been truly extraordinary.

Hence, we wanted to tackle this new challenge with a much more ambitious, cross-cutting, international, and multicultural approach, capable of becoming a benchmark icon and growing over time, adapting to technological evolution at every moment. Incorporating cross-cutting values such as equality, sustainability, and planet preservation, and observing their impact on elements through music.

THE PROJECT

Moving this project forward requires working with the best partners, sharing a common vision, and betting on an innovative and disruptive idea capable of exciting and engaging the widest possible audience. After all, we are all students of life, constantly updating and revising. And the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly. Vivaldi and The Four Seasons allowed us to develop the idea to its fullest extent, the Reina Sofia Superior School of Music, the ideal companion to bring the experience to schools and educational centers, and musician Ara Malikian, a key piece in this picture, capable of painting and interpreting unique scenes around Vivaldi’s work.

Vivaldi 3.0 is not a video game, nor is it a 360º movie; it is a unique experience in which the visitor discovers, explores, plays, and interacts with nature, the work, and the musician in an absolutely immersive way.

A highly complex project that has required an international team of over 50 people, including technicians, designers, producers, editors, programmers… 3 days of recording with 360º 8K cameras, ambisonic surround sound, hundreds of hours of production, editing, and development, the creation of interactive virtual worlds, video editing and animations for live concerts, volumetric capture, etc… representing Vivaldi’s four seasons from a perspective you’ve never imagined before.

Some figures about the project: Over 6 intense months of work, involving an international team with more than 50 professionals, exceeding 4,500 hours of production and development, 3 days of live concert recording, 1 day and two live media concerts with over 600 students from 10 public and private schools, along with international presentations in various media outlets…

Technologies and production software: Insta Pro2 8K 360º cameras, Zoom ambisonic recording equipment, development of interactive virtual worlds, 3D interactive objects, Unity, Blender, Adobe Premiere Pro, ProTools, Tracktion, Bosse, and Pico Neo 3/4, Meta Quest 3 VR devices.

Undoubtedly, an exciting and exponential experience that gives us guidelines for new future evolutions, on which we are already working.

THE JOURNEY

Journey Through the Four Seasons is an immersive interactive virtual reality experience that transports the viewer into the world of Antonio Vivaldi’s musical compositions. Through visually rich storytelling, the viewer will witness Vivaldi’s creative process as he brings his famous concerto «The Four Seasons» to life. Each season is depicted in a unique and captivating environment, where natural elements and music merge to provide a multisensory and magical experience.

Introduction:

The User’s Journey. When experiencing a unique immersive experience, it’s advisable to undergo a prior immersion, to familiarize oneself with the space, how to navigate and manage the devices comfortably and tailored to each individual’s physical characteristics. Only in this way can one fully enjoy the experience. From that moment on, we can embark on the adventure. An adventure that traverses the cycle of life, through the cycle of seasons and day. We’ll feel like a child with a new toy, ready to set off. Upon entering the world, we’ll be in a central position, facing a person… whom we may know, or at least recognize. Represented by a hologram, they’ll address us, proposing a magical journey. And gradually, that dark space where we found ourselves upon arrival, comes back to life.

The Inspiration:

The viewer finds themselves in a space surrounded by mysterious portals inviting them to enter an enchanted forest, enveloped by trees and a gentle breeze. In the center, Vivaldi invites us to immerse ourselves in a magical fantasy, which gradually comes to life as we progress through the experience. Birdsong fills the air as Vivaldi begins to sketch the first musical notes on an imaginary canvas, inviting us to enter the portal representing spring.

Spring:

Upon crossing the portal of spring, the forest comes to life with vibrant colors and blooming flowers. Vivaldi’s «Spring» music begins to play, and the viewer immerses themselves in the sensation of rebirth and growth as they observe how animals and nature shape the melody.

Summer:

Upon crossing the portal of Summer, the atmosphere changes to a warm and sunny day. The viewer can feel the heat of the sun on their skin as they observe nature reclaiming the colors of a hot day. Thunder rumbles in the distance, and the music evolves to reflect the intensity of the heat and the impending storm.

Autumn:

The surroundings transform into an autumnal landscape with leaves gently falling from the trees. Reddish and green hues abound as Vivaldi creates the sensation of «Autumn» through melancholic notes, and the viewer can hear the rustle of leaves and feel the cool breeze in the air.

Winter:

We venture into a cold winter night, illuminated by the moon. The atmosphere becomes icy and snowy as Vivaldi addresses the final season. The viewer is immersed in a snowy forest, experiencing the sensation of cold and hearing the crunch of snow underfoot. The music grows more intense, representing the harshness of winter.

Conclusion:

«The Immersive Universe of Vivaldi, through the Four Seasons» offers a unique interactive experience that combines classical music with visual and sensory elements. Viewers will be transported into Vivaldi’s world and his compositions, experiencing the beauty and magic of the seasons through the eyes and ears of the composer. They can actively participate in the work, interacting with the environment and elements as they please. Discovering the games and challenges offered throughout the experience. This virtual reality project promises to be an exciting fusion of art and technology that will leave a lasting impression on music and visual narrative enthusiasts. Additionally, thanks to its educational and social component, by combining spaces with music, it aims to convey a subtle message of emotional balance and the need to value and respectfully care for the environment over the years.

This is just the first step towards a magical and unpredictable world, where our commitment to the environment, equality, respect for the values of democratic society, and the natural evolution towards a sustainable and better society will set the course for our next steps. Hand in hand with the most innovative and environmentally friendly technology.

«Vivaldi 3.0 has been funded by the Ministry of Culture and the NextGeneration EU Funds, within the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.»

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

Metaverse is ready for Education

Over the course of the past two decades, I have been fortunate enough to engage in groundbreaking initiatives within the realm of digital transformation in education. Today, as we grapple with contrasting viewpoints on whether the #Metaverse holds promise as an educational tool or is merely a rehashed concept, I wish to offer my insights on the matter.

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández1 Comentario

«A Reflection on Virtual Worlds and Their Contribution to Education»

Over the course of the past two decades, I have been fortunate enough to engage in groundbreaking initiatives within the realm of digital transformation in education. Today, as we grapple with contrasting viewpoints on whether the #Metaverse holds promise as an educational tool or is merely a rehashed concept, I wish to offer my insights on the matter.

To me, the #Metaverse embodies a realm where Time and Space engage in a game of strategy, akin to a game of chess. Drawing inspiration from Albert Einstein’s musings: A human is an integral part of the cosmos we term the Universe—a fragment confined by time and space. But so what?

The crux of the matter lies here: the interplay between Time and Space.

Metaverse versus Universe, and Human Being versus Avatars—these interactions hinge on the relationship between time and space.

In the spheres of art and music, artists have fashioned #MetaphoricalUniverses or #EphemeralUniverses —spaces and encounters that are unparalleled, transient, experienced in the present, and then fade away.

Virtual Worlds offer us this same potential but with the power to amplify it manifold into new, boundary-defying dimensions. This expansion reaches individuals and groups who might otherwise never have had the chance to connect in such an environment.

The term #Metaverse, though rooted in technological definition, has acquired a mythical aura and has been employed in ways that fail to captivate. Presently, describing or elucidating the societal advantages and opportunities afforded by #ImmersiveTechnologies presents a challenge. This is due to the term’s misappropriation and dilution by entities possessing an insufficient grasp of the profound intricacies and context of the technology at hand.

In 2003, I embarked on a transformative journey that led my past company, eLearning Consulting, to evolve an eLearning platform into a cutting-edge virtual educational platform known as «Edutopia.» This ambitious endeavor marked my foray into the realm of 3D worlds and virtual reality, bridging the gap between schools, educational communities, and innovative technology. Edutopia introduced avatars, interactive games, and an array of tools tailored for teachers, students, collaboration, monitoring, and evaluation—accessible from any PC.

My dedication bore fruit as thousands of students in Spain gained free access to this groundbreaking platform, supported by funding from the Ministerio de Educación, España.

Over two decades, my commitment to innovation in education extended to active involvement in classroom innovation programs and collaborations with prominent publishers. This commitment also manifested through investments in Research and Development programs under the aegis of the European Commission, resulting in the realization of several globally renowned projects.

In 2013, my endeavors expanded beyond education as we developed pioneering simulators and digital twins for the industrial sector. Subsequently, in 2017, I launched the #SmartEducationLabs initiative for the Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This groundbreaking project championed advanced education and the digital transformation of classrooms.

This legacy persisted through 2022-23, marked by my instrumental role in establishing Advanced Labs and a Virtual Campus for Madrid’s gaming industry. This Virtual Campus is uniquely focused on nurturing entrepreneurial skills within the realm of video games and immersive experiences, ultimately fostering innovation within the gaming sector.

If you want to know more, please visit #MetaMinutes with my friend Rene Schulte here: https://lnkd.in/d5WXRf3P

If you want to know more about #SmartEducationLabs, visit
https://lnkd.in/dZciTDGa

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

The Future of Immersive Technologies is to focus on the Value Chain

In times of uncertainty, investments must be accompanied by calm reflection when selecting our travel partners and not just service or product providers.

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

Today I want to invite you on a journey from the origins of interactive graphics systems to the world of the metaverse with my friend Marlon Molina.

I want to share with all of you the recent interview that the prestigious Computerworld University conducted with me through an old fellow traveler from the early days of Geographic Information Systems, Marlon Molina.

This a unique and passionate opportunity, in which we remember our steps and experiences in the graphic industry, for more than 30 years, Marlon at Intergraph and I at Siemens.

A time in which we feel like authentic active pioneers, and with the luck of being able to share these experiences with the new generations of enthusiasts of the interactive graphic world.

After a brief and charming conversation about the origins of digital image processing, the leadership of Silicon Graphics workstations (all major film productions used this technology, animation and simulation studios, etc…) and its disappearance by complete at present. Coming to the conclusion that the evolution of technology in recent years, leaves us with lights and shadows uncovered, which are repeated today and against which we must remain on guard.

In times of uncertainty, investments must be accompanied by calm reflection when selecting our travel partners and not just service or product providers.

After this brief review of the history of the interactive graphic world, we take a tour of the current state of immersive technologies, #virtual reality, #augmented reality, #Immersive experiences, the #Metaverse, and the new Vision from ONE Digital Consulting.

And one of the first reflections that come to mind is the insistence of the big manufacturers in selling us a wonderful, virtual and better world, without asking me if I am interested, if I like it, or if I simply prefer to solve the problems of this world. from my freedom, intelligence, and personal decision.

Join me in this conversation, only for fans of advanced technologies and their application to real industry. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did during the interview. I am looking forward to hearing your comments.

https://www.computerworlduniversity.es/tendencias/concentrarse-en-la-cadena-de-valor-es-la-clave-para-el-exito-de-la-realidad-virtual-y-aumentada

Have a great and wonderful day.

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

Carlos J. Ochoa “un guiño a la Educación”

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

“Apostando fuertemente por un nuevo modelo educativo, ilusionante, empático, inclusivo, democrático y sostenible“

Presidente VR/AR Madrid Chapter, Co_Chair del Comité de Educación y miembro fundador de Immersive Learning Association, ICICLE X-Reality for Learning and Performance Augmentation SIG. También es fundador y CEO de ONE Digital Consulting, así como autor del Libro Blanco “Best Practices of VR in Education”.

Entrevista realizada por Sonsoles Gallego para Miranos y Unete 2019

Ayer

Empezamos por su infancia, por conocer a ese niño que todos llevamos dentro.

¿Cómo fue su etapa de estudiante?

Recuerdo mi etapa de estudiante como una sucesión de historias emocionantes, irrepetibles y únicas. Años en los que descubres todo con emoción, ilusión y sorpresa. A pesar de ser tiempos difíciles, como fueron los años de la transición, también fueron una oportunidad única para descubrir el valor de las cosas, la necesidad permanente de aprender y establecer amistades con fuerte arraigo que siguen conmigo hasta el día de hoy.
¿Qué recuerdas de ella?

Tuve la inmensa suerte de comenzar el bachiller en el Instituto Ramiro de Maeztu, en la antigua residencia de estudiantes. Un espacio privilegiado, con profesores muy buenos y compañeros extraordinarios. Allí fueron mis comienzos obligados en el baloncesto “Estudiantes” y en la música (otra de mis grandes pasiones), el arte y el cine fórum…en fin. Allí se fue perfilando mi personalidad y algunas de mis aficiones. Tiempos de desarrollo personal, aficiones y bocatas de mejillones…en la Cantina. Y por cierto, íbamos al “insti” en tranvía, el 27, en donde nos colábamos todos los días…)
¿Algún profesor especial?

Bueno, me vienen varios a la memoria. En especial el Sr. Cebada, profesor de matemáticas (una persona entrañable y gran fan del Rock de los 70) y con el que entablé muy buena relación a lo largo de los años. La Sra. Burgos de geografía, historia y arte y que, por casualidades de la vida, coincidí en Siemens con su hijo como compañero de trabajo por varios años. De la Universidad guardo extraordinarios recuerdos de profesores y posteriormente compañeros y amigos. Algunos de aquellos me ayudaron a centrarme profesionalmente y encarar una nueva fase de mi vida con gran vocación disfrutando inmensamente. Recuerdo emocionadamente las clases de Astronomía y Geodesia, las de Fotogrametría y Teledetección, las observaciones a los astros desde la terraza del Instituto Geográfico Nacional… 

¿Cómo fueron sus inicios en la innovación, la realidad virtual y aumentada?

Mi primer gran reto fue en mis inicios profesionales en la Ingeniería, trabajando en Typsa y participando en los años 80 en proyectos de Cartografía Digital, con los primeros ordenadores de Floppy Disk, pantallas graficas Tektronics, los primeros ploters…etc. En Siemens estuve formándome en IT y Geosistemas de Información en Alemania, incorporando la simulación a los proyectos de Ingeniería Avanzada, en los años 90. Y posteriormente en Eptron comenzamos con proyectos de I&D en Realidad Virtual, desarrollo de los primeros navegadores virtuales educacionales y contenidos digitales para el Aula. Esta etapa la recuerdo como la época de Jurasic Park, y las estaciones de trabajo Silicon Graphics. Éramos realmente unos adelantados a nuestro tiempo, en los inicios del nuevo siglo. En 2015 comienzo este nuevo proyecto profesional y me incorporo a la Asociación de VR/AR y el Comité de Educación. A lo largo de estos últimos años, he estado participando en distintos proyectos nacionales e internacionales de VR/AR en la Educación, la Formación y la Ingeniería.

Hoy

Palabra que define su trabajo: Pasión por la innovación.

Proyectos actuales: 

Recientemente he sido seleccionado como experto internacional del iLRN State of XR and Immersive Learning 2019-20. El objetivo fundamental, es crear un Panel de expertos internacionales equilibrado entre líderes académicos y de opinión de la industria, visionarios e innovadores que representen la totalidad del aprendizaje de K-12, a través de la educación superior, el espacio laboral, la comunidad educativa y el aprendizaje permanente.

Así mismo, sigo empujando la iniciativa de “Schools of The Future” que contaré más detalladamente en el Congreso.

Mañana

Haz un guiño a la educación:

Apostando fuertemente por un nuevo modelo Educativo, “Ilusionante, Empático, Inclusivo, Democrático y Sostenible”, capaz de liderar la Transformación Digital, Innovando eficientemente y eliminando barreras de todo tipo.

Especial ponente en el II Congreso de Influencers Educativos

Breve resumen de su Ponencia en el II Congreso de Influencers Educativos:
“Espacios y Experiencias Inmersivas en Educación 4.0”. Las nuevas tecnologías son aplicadas cada día en la industria y nuevos modelos emergentes, que crean importantes oportunidades de empleo y posibilidades de desarrollo empresarial. De acuerdo con las proyecciones establecidas por la Comisión Europea recientemente, la demanda del mercado en especialistas calificados en tecnología de la información y las comunicaciones (TIC) no se cubrirán, ya que en 2020 habrá un déficit de alrededor de 500,000 profesionales de las TIC. Siendo los profesionales de realidad virtual y aumentada los que se encuentran entre aquellos más solicitados en el sector de las TIC.

Es en este contexto vamos a desarrollar un Taller sobre “Formación de Profesores” en las habilidades relevantes para la formación en el aula, la formación y capacitación para el empleo y el desarrollo del espíritu empresarial basado en estas tecnologías.

Entrevista realizada por Sonsoles Gallego.

Las Claves para implantar las Tecnologías Inmersivas en la Educación.

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

Education is a system; teaching is an action; learning is a process. Terry Heick

Regulación y ética para máquinas, un desafío para los humanos
Analizamos el paradigma tecnológico al que se enfrenta el ser humano desde el punto de vista de los profesionales.

Educar, Educar y Educar…

¿Cómo vamos a formar en realidad virtual? La clave está en “educar, educar y educar”. De esta premisa parte Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández , fundador y CEO de ONE Digital Consulting y Co-Chair VRARA Metaverse on Dec 17 Education Committee, quien visitó nuestro auditorio en una de las sesiones del XR Fest.

Educar de forma transversal en nuevas tecnologías y crear documentos dirigidos a los centros educativos que aporten valor y formen al profesorado, es una tarea ardua pero necesaria. El primer paso es analizar el perfil de los profesores. En ocasiones, –comenta Ochoa– “queremos formar a gente o profesionales que son reacios o que no tienen la formación adecuada para luego impartir a los alumnos”.

Desde su organización, proponen un escrito de buenas prácticas donde reflexionan sobre la ayuda que necesitan los colegios, los docentes y los decisores para comprender la tecnología y ver el sentido de su aplicación en los métodos de enseñanza.

Marjorie NETANGE, directora de Desarrollo y Comunicación de la Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, coincide en que “el docente tiene que trabajar su metodología en términos de cómo integrar la tecnología puntualmente”, pero sostiene que parte de su programa debe seguir una línea tradicional.

Según Angeles Heras Caballero, secretaria de Estado de Universidades de Ciencia, Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, es necesario orientar a los alumnos de universidades y posgrados hacia un futuro tecnológico. En España, ya se ha puesto en marcha la construcción de un Comité Científico de Ética, pero es imprescindible que estas normas coexistan con el resto de los actores empresariales, asociaciones e incluso, con otros Estados.

Una sesión, presentada y dirigida por Elena González de la Fuente, responsable del Espacio Fundación Telefónica.

Y con la participación de Ian Forrester, responsable del departamento de I+D de la BBC, el R&D Future Experiences, Pedro Lozano Alcolea, fundador y COO de Imascono, Marjorie NETANGE, directora de Desarrollo y Comunicación de la Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández, fundador y CEO de ONE Digital Consulting y presidente de la Asociación VRARA Madrid y co-presidente global del Comité de VR Education de VRARA Metaverse on Dec 17, y Gonzalo Ruipérez García, CTO en EstudioFuture.

XRFEST , Fundación Telefónica Junio 2019.

Chronicles from the #RealVerse. Chapter II

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

Don’t run so fast Metaverse. The great trap of the Meta Boomers.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Albert Einstein.

We live in an increasingly ephemeral and unequal society. Where the truth hides behind thick layers of images, headlines, screens … and where the speed of things is unreal. I do not know if this unjustified rush is accelerated by the need to flee or escape from ourselves.

So little do we like each other? Do we want to be immortal? Do we want to be other? We do not accept reality? … what is the real question to this paradigm. Maybe the is another answer to that question.

In the real world, nothing moves so fast, nor does society demand such ephemeral generosity, rather democracy, justice, equality, transparency … Searching for the ubiquity of the human being, ethics, transparency, honesty, goodness … .life, still exist … and are all around us, despite the Meta Boomers.

After more than 30 years involved in engineering, advanced technologies and working on real world projects … believe me if I tell you, I have never lived a similar time before. Where everyone is a futurist, visionary, town crier, spokesperson … without adding the slightest ounce of value to society, or to its real problems. Showing once again, that ignorance is very daring.

One of the great barriers to acceptance of advanced technologies is that they are credible, convey truthfulness, solve real problems, and the majority of society accepts and employs them for their mutual benefit.

Yesterday, without going any further, I saw a TV program about advanced robotics, the complexity of programming. The design of processes to teach robots to learn, to program tasks that are very easy for a human, but highly complex for a robot, until the final test is performed. This is a space for little fantasy and a lot of hard work. Today, robotics, 3D, AI, is taught in schools since childhood, it is understood, its contribution, benefits, risks … it is accepted and it lives with us a little more every day.

But this has required a long period of training, development, successful implementation in production processes, at home, in industry, etc … and this is not easy, nor is it free.

However, the futuristic Meta Boomers, the newcomers to this futuristic world, discovered by them of the «Edge-Science», find a context, where everything seems simple and they give free rein to the verb, without the slightest training and with a wide and generous ignorance of the fundamentals, technologies, risks and benefits that these paradises of the future hide … Oops, how scary …

It seems that, if today you do not talk about the Metaverse, you are not «cool» beings, or you simply are not and you are not even … experts in Creative, Educational, Communicative, Digital, and blablative Metaverse, who go even under the stones, even to dare to prophesy that «The Future is in the Metaverse» … Oops how scary

The news of the day, which sweeps the networks, is that Bermuda is in the Metaverse, everyone retweets, and hallucinates, without knowing the vast majority, not even where Bermuda is … in short, “breaking news”.

Barriers to entry? Here is one that spreads like weeds in a natural forest: the Meta Boomers, who are going to leave the field depleted before we wake up from our first dream.

20 years ago, I was extremely lucky to participate in the development of a virtual educational platform. It included customizable avatars, virtual tutors, virtual tours of natural landscapes, interactive games, spaces for teachers, students and parents. In short, an entire educational community based on client-server architecture with hundreds of value-added services: Edutopia. Thousands of children from hundreds of schools in Spain were online users of this platform, now obsolete and lost in the cloud. I have to honestly say that this was available to the entire educational community for free and was beyond many Goals to be drawn in the short-lived near future.

We will see how this continues in the next chapter of Chronicles from RealVerse, enjoying a cup of Colombian coffee listening to John Coltrane, by the way, something real and extraordinary.

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

#ImmersiveLearning Environments in Disruptive Advanced #Education #Ecosystems. Episode I.

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein.

Man is by nature a social animal. From birth, he absolutely needs others to develop physically and socially. Enhancing our intelligence in the face of our physical weakness. We are social creatures by nature and we need to learn how to be part of society, how to interact with groups of people, and how to work as a team. We are emotional, social, rational beings, with conscience and intentionality, will, freedom and personal identity, ethics…

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein.

Man is by nature a social animal. From birth, he absolutely needs others to develop physically and socially. Enhancing our intelligence in the face of our physical weakness. We are social creatures by nature and we need to learn how to be part of society, how to interact with groups of people, and how to work as a team. We are emotional, social, rational beings, with conscience and intentionality, will, freedom and personal identity, ethics…

We live in times of complete uncertainty. The world, had never faced a similar situation as we have today. Where there are too many questions in the air, still waiting for the correct answer, if there are any.

During this last months, I have got the perception that we were trying to hide ourselves into an increasingly virtualized world, behind decomposed avatars, robots or new small particles into a new virtual scenario as part of this new reality. Losing the control of our free brain activity, dominated for external unknown forces, as part of a live experiment drive by some kind of superior intelligence. But with some common feelings…the lack of affection, recognition, and human touch.

In this new world, governments face heedlessly to the new academic year, terrified of a new outbreak that will leave the system naked again, yes, let’s contribute something earthly. Let’s say things by their name, since, after several months of uncertainty, the capacity to anticipate, prepare for this new scenario has been nil and we continue to learn from the mistakes of the recent past.

There are no longer shortcuts, online paths traveled by elements devoid of the minimum preparation to face these new challenges in today’s society.

Today I lost my avatar, and I believe that there is only one possible path, towards the digital transformation in Education, from a completely disruptive and non-evolutionary approach. Since there is no time for it and these generations will not allow it.

Do we want to be remembered as responsible? Or guilty?

Episode I

Why do we want, need Immersive Learning Environments? Is it a new fad? is it a trend in education? does it really add value? is there proven evidence? Not it is not new, but what do we want it for.

  • Create immersive spaces in the image and likeness of real existing classroom spaces, but that adapt to different subjects.? Where classes are taught with immersive Caves / HDMI devices, etc.
  • Create a universal space, accessible by the entire educational community, both inside and outside the classroom, where to share experiences, activities, projects … etc.
  • Develop a learning methodology, where virtual spaces are recreated, with scenes adapted to the contexts and where students actively participate as members of the group. Customizing to your image and likeness? Future open worlds? Contributing your vision of the new virtual classroom?
  • Turn the classroom into an inspiring experience, each and every day of the year.? Are we ready for it?
  • Convert the workshops into creative, interactive and inspiring spaces, where students learn from good practices and develop their skills beyond their limitations?
  • Create multiverse spaces, where futuristic experiences are created, anticipating solutions to the world of the future? From the lessons learned from the past and through the use of new technologies? What would have become of … if we had acted …?
  • Imagine spaces that are transformed and adapted depending on the needs, the context, the problem … simulating unforeseen situations and seeing how the students react.
  • Learn from the silence, the stones, the walls, the art of the works hidden in the walls of history and understand the reason for the evolution of things, the need and the use of inventions … in contexts adapted to time.,

to be continue…

Have a nice and safe day.

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©

Magical and Mystery Tour around Cultural Heritage. The Immersive Experience

The Magical and Mystery Tour of the City of Cuenca project aims to integrate Virtual Reality technologies and a methodological and scientific approach for the representation of cultures throughout history. This is the result of many years of work by a great team of professionals, which saw the light in web and multiprojection format in the City of Cuenca and after years of work and study, we have reconfigured and recreated in a new context, enriched and expanded with new interactive tools. This is just a first step towards a more comprehensive and up-to-date experience, which will see the light of day in 2021.

Carlos J. Ochoa FernándezDeja un comentario

Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to participate in a large number of projects to enhance «Cultural Heritage» through the use of Virtual Reality technologies and, in a very special way, in the reconstruction of ancient spaces in past times, where the architectural recreation of them requires the perfect coordination of experts, archaeologists, artists, engineers, creatives … in short, a group of professionals with highly specialized profiles.

From the reconstruction of the cities of León in Roman or Visigoth times, Soria and Romanesque, Ronda and its natural environment around its Roman origins, Úbeda and Baeza Renaissance period or Cuenca, land of the three cultures, walking through its Islamic origins until the Christian era.

Although, one of the problems that we encountered years ago was the high cost of bringing these spectacular developments to the public in a simple and accessible way. Since, at that time, we spoke of more than 10 years ago, expensive installations were required, with equipment that needed permanent adjustments and maintenance care. What was left only for the access of some privileged or private exhibitions.

Nowadays, thanks to the evolution of immersive platforms, the accessibility of high-quality devices and autonomy, it is possible to make these projects reach the majority of the population in a very simple way, without the need to travel or simply access from home, but not only that.

The opportunity to integrate tools that allow contextualizing the experience and enriching it with augmented, georeferenced information and on a timeline, is something completely new and innovative. Transferring the visitor to a space in time, where they can experience in first person with these spaces, social and cultural contexts and better understand the what, why and for what of all that. The interrelation between space, time and geography are the key to understanding the culture and evolution of societies and the impact around them. Something that allows us to broaden the focus of what we knew up to now and that helps us to know and interpret the reason for things with greater value.

«Magical and Mystery Tour around the Cultural Heritage» , the immersive experience, has been the first step we have taken, to share these ideas and work and evaluate the result of the experiences and perceptions of visitors to a new immersive space and interactive. Where the times and the route are set by the user himself. Discover by experimenting and letting yourself be carried away by the senses.

The Magical and Mystery Tour of the City of Cuenca project aims to integrate Virtual Reality technologies and a methodological and scientific approach for the representation of cultures throughout history. This is the result of many years of work by a great team of professionals, which saw the light in web and multiprojection format in the City of Cuenca and after years of work and study, we have reconfigured and recreated in a new context, enriched and expanded with new interactive tools. This is just a first step towards a more comprehensive and up-to-date experience, which will see the light of day in 2021.

The final sample is a complete «Virtual Tour» through the culture, art, architecture, industry and society of the Muslim Civilization in Cuenca / KunKa during the period from the 10th to the 11th century, (Spain). A recent data has been revealed by the archaeologist Santiago David Domínguez, in which according to carbon 14 tests carried out on lime samples collected in the Muslim area of ​​the Cuenca castle wall and the Huécar park wall, they have revealed that the city was founded between the years 950 and 1032. Something that brings more light to the work carried out to date.

Live a virtual journey to those years, strolling through the narrow streets of this fortress, letting yourself be carried away by the imagination and the smells of a wild nature in a very special geographical context. In this virtual exhibition, you can see and feel in the first person, the evolution of the Islamic origins of the City by visiting the «Virtual Reconstruction of the Islamic City», being able to georeferenced and locate the exact location of the ancient city by means of a project developed with «Google Earth VR Pro». Likewise, we can observe the impact and influence of science, culture and social life of the Caliphate of Córdoba, through the work carried out through the study of the «Thousand inventions of the Muslims» and their development and dissemination in the Iberian Peninsula. Here we can observe and manipulate different elements and objects of the time recreated in 3 dimensions. And finally to be able to visit the actual physical space today, through «360º Videos Tour» around the recreated spaces. From the walls and ruins of the castle, streets and the gorges of Jucar and Huecar.

«Magical and Mystery Tour around the Cultural Heritage» of Cuenca, is a unique experience that was born with the vision of being a cultural and transmedia platform, as a multicultural support where cultural heritage, history, archeology, society and art in its many facets are accommodated.

In short, a space full of life open to imagination and the discovery of magical worlds, from Islamic to Christian times to the present day.

Crossroads of cultures that today can be explored thanks to immersive technologies from a spectacular perspective. More than ten years of work, which are now coming to light, thanks to immersive technologies, incorporating the virtual visit to the City of Kunka in Islamic times, to integration with current 360º videos, or flights through the city from Google Earth to recognize the vestiges of those ancestors who filled the city of Cuenca with magic.

I want to dedicate a special section to the musical contribution carried out by the extraordinary composer, musician and friend Chema Vilchez. We have treated the sound in a very special way, natural and recreating sensations that allow you to enjoy a total immersive experience, transferring the body and soul to a recent past full of nuances yet to be discovered.

The land of the three cultures brings magic and charm to this first phase of the project. Advanced immersive multimedia technologies in 3D are the powerful tool to create value around Cultural Heritage and a support for the promotion of sustainable and valuable Tourism.

Today, more than 3,000 visitors from around the world have registered their passage through the virtual exhibition, something that in a face-to-face way would have been completely unimaginable due to the pandemic and its impact on culture, museums and exhibitions .

And finally and not least, I want to thank the magnificent team of professionals who have collaborated throughout these years in this project, and Frame.VR and ONE Digital Consulting for their amazing contribution and technological support to the project.

Have a nice and safe day.

Carlos J. Ochoa Fernández ©