What I wouldn’t do to provide you live coverage from Laval Virtual!  After waking up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the only morning train to Laval, France (train strike today), and consequently a double espresso, hot chocolate, another espresso and two Cokes later, I’m now in the press room trying to sort through the brain explosion of what I’ve experienced so far at Laval Virtual 2010. 

My top pick is much influenced by my university and post-grad billiard playing days.  The French (or maybe it’s my phase in life) aren’t much into billiards, and you certainly can’t listen to Little Feat’s “Dixie Chicken” while you shoot if you do find a table.  So I was particularly excited when I saw a REAL billiard table at this virtuality conference.  Electrical and Computing Engineer (and I assume avid pool fan) Samuel Jordan from Queens University is the master mind behind this augmented reality billiard concept. 

The set-up for “AR Pool” is simple: a billiard table, computer, and overhead camera and projector.  What makes the magic is behind the set-up.  There’s this nifty physics simulator that suggests the best shot given the location of your cue ball in relation with the other balls and pockets that makes it magic. 

I’ve mixed together a little Flip video of my chat with Samuel and my try at pool playing.  You’ll note from my unsteady hand the effects of too much caffeine.  😉  When the pocket lights up, that means you’re well positioned to sink the ball and should shoot.

How do you like this little AR bijou? 

What would you like for tomorrow’s post?  Serious industrial stuff or more fun?  There’s a full pickin’! 

Best,

Kate