Summit Technology Laboratory demonstrates its software for creating large-scale, immersive experiences by automatically aligning and blending multiple projectors. The system creates a single, seamless image from two or more projectors, even on non-planar or dynamically moving surfaces. This technology is designed to eliminate the complex and time-consuming manual calibration process typically required for multi-projector setups.
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The core capability shown is dynamic projection mapping, where the software adapts the projected image in real time to a surface that is changing shape, such as a fluttering flag. The system uses a depth camera to track the surface geometry and continuously adjusts the projection to maintain a coherent and undistorted image. This real-time adaptation is a key differentiator, enabling interactive and dynamic visual displays that were previously not possible with multiple projectors.
For sensing, the demonstration utilizes a consumer-grade RGBD camera, specifically a Microsoft Azure Kinect, which is a time-of-flight (ToF) depth camera. The software’s performance is currently limited by the frame rate and resolution of the camera hardware. The company notes that higher-quality, faster depth cameras would enable an even more seamless experience. The processing is handled by a high-performance computer capable of keeping up with the real-time demands of the system.
The software is hardware-agnostic, compatible with any brand or model of projector, including mixed-throw types like short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors used together. The setup process is simplified to placing the projectors and cameras to illuminate the target surface and running the software, which handles the rest of the alignment and blending automatically. This user-friendly approach makes complex projection mapping accessible without specialized user intervention.
Applications for this technology include large, immersive displays for simulations, such as the 180-degree cylindrical sea glider simulator mentioned, which uses three projectors. The technology also opens up possibilities for projection mapping onto moving objects, such as a performer’s dress on stage, creating dynamic and interactive visual effects for live events and entertainment.
