Navigate Google Earth with Two Ping Pong Balls and Some LEDs

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While thinking about new ways to control and navigate geographical visualisations we came back to some previous work using two ping pong balls and two LEDs to fly through Google Earth.

Based on the Atlas Gloves system we utilized a projector displaying Google Earth and the control software in a blacked out lecture theatre. This allowed a clear view of the lights which are turned on and off in combination with various hand gestures to remotely control Google Earth.

The movie below demonstrates the trial, we were going to leave the movie audio free but couldn't resist dubbing in the The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Stokowski.

Linking Google Earth to a remote vision based control interface is quick and easy and the fact it worked first time is testament to the teams clear instructions and software.




Take a look at Atlas Gloves to try it out yourself.