Video of Immersive Cocoon "2011"

Directed & 3D CG by Oliver Zeller, Video Courtesy of I-Cocoon

The world of interfaces continues to evolve and surprise us. We still think of it as something we can hold, fold and place in our bag to carry anywhere. What if you can be part of an intuitive and holistic experience where your interface is not reduced to a mouse-click or a two dimensional tablet screen. Welcome to the Immersive Cocoon, a surround display dome with sophisticated motion sensor technology that inspired the technology depicted in 'Minority Report'. Now your body becomes the interface, as you are enveloped and your body movement becomes part of this digital environment to make our everyday lives more enjoyable, at least that is what this conceptual project tries to explore.

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon

The Immersive Cocoon opens its hatch silently and extends a small set of stairs that helps you move into this 360 degree display covering the entire interior walls. Inside you can sit, lean, and accommodate an adjustable work surface depending on how your imagination desires to utilize the Cocoon. You can connect into a virtual meeting across the globe, do yoga while at the airport or even visit a preserved temple in Tibet right from home, mall, or anywhere else this product will be located. I am not going to lie, I would like this in my job as I would not mind having lunch on the coast of a Greek island at least twice a week.

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon

The Cocoon's potential extends beyond leisure and into education, productivity, training and other uses that would benefit from this immersive technology. This spherical pod seems to show promise in many levels but the question always become its financial feasibility and social acceptance. Although innovative, something this ground breaking seems to have a hard time being implemented in public spaces. Seeing the roll out of this technology will be interesting and full of insight as more people interact with it. We can guarantee that it doesn't lack thought and ingenuity as its 3D motion tracking system was developed by John Underkoffer, a former fellow of the MIT Media Lab. This conceptual prototype developed by NAU out of Zurich, Switzerland, shows immense opportunities into future daily and exclusive activities. What will be the price we pay financially, socially and psychologically? Maybe it will not be hard to adopt after all as we are really used to seeing this kind of innovation on the big screen. Could we be ready for it? Let us know your thoughts.

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon

Image Courtesy of I-Cocoon