Augmented Reality Sandbox will Blow Your Mind!

Craig Beals unveils his latest build - a sandbox like no other! The white sand acts as a projector screen and a topographic map image is projected on the surface. An XBOX Kinect is positioned to read the contours of the sand and draw new topographic lines according to how the sand is moved. This augmented reality sandbox will blow your mind!

WARNING:
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information outlined in this video, you assume responsibility for the results. As with any experiment, proceed at your own risk.

Credit to UC Davis:
The AR Sandbox concept, design and programs were developed at the University of California - Davis. I give them full credit and I appreciate them making the software and information available so I could build one for my school.

Music: Shiver by Mike B. Fort

[everydayepic]

Glad someone found a use for the Kinect

[dave]

A literal topographical sandbox, wow! That is so trippy.

[bertollini]

I have built two of these, for two different school districts. They become all the rage, each school year when they are teaching topography! They truly are amazing. And by the time I get them up and running, I end up losing precious work time playing in the sand, myself!
I think there is more patience required than time.
I highly recommend them. 5 Stars! 🙂

[lrigdrenlrigdren]

We had one in the small natural history museum at a college where I taught. It was great for illustrating concepts about surfaces and vectors in multivariable calculus too!

[thomasjones]

This is quite honestly one of the coolest things I’ve seen in my life

[fibonojomano]

You could create a video game map in the sand, scan that map and then Paste the scan as terrain for the game. And the best thing about that is:
It’s very fast and easy to make. And beautiful
Edit: And it is easily customisable

[BoothbyTeaching]

This is awesome. The school I work for has given me some money to build one. We are buying the Orbecc Astra 1 (maybe 2) camera rather than the Kinect, as we want to also use the set up for other interactive floor stuff (lumoplay)

Can I just check.... Will the Orbecc Astra also work if I follow your instructions? I am hoping it is just a better version of the Kinect!!!

Many thanks to whoever answers!!!

[eal]

My school got one of these the other day!! So excited for my geology class to use it!!

[GregTuckerKellogg]

For a guy who gives the KeckCAVES people "full credit", you give them pretty minimal credit. It's effectively jammed into the last few seconds of your video.

Let's be clear: the KeckCAVES researchers conceived of, built, tested, and supplied open plans to literally hundreds, possibly thousands, of people around the world, including you, who have built their own AR sandboxes. They worked with researchers, museums, teachers and hobbyists to make sure those plans could be implemented as widely and as openly as possible. My late sister founded and led KeckCAVES until her untimely death last year. They, not you, implemented the entire AR Sandbox system, and developed the fluid dynamic models that make the geodynamic simulations with water and volcanos possible.

As an educator myself, I appreciate that you made an excellent video that conveys the excitement of an augmented reality sandbox. The thrill on your kids' faces is priceless. I remember experiencing that excitement when I saw the first AR sandbox. But as an educator I also know the ethical value of giving proper credit. I hope your kids learn that from someone.

[jayjordan]

4:29 Experienced this at Buffalo Museum of Science. Our two littles seemed to enjoy this exhibit most. I know I surely did 🌏🌍

[Jakob.Hamburg]

Very nice project. It looks awesome. : )

[ricklowkster]

This is amazing !!!! Im amazed at thw thing we as humans can invent and this seems like a great mixture of education and fun . its awesome .

[lorenzo]

playing with sand on a whole new level^^

[duncanlauder]

Fantastic. just amazingly fantastic. Fun and realworld application

[chrismercier]

By far the coolest sand box ever! Where was this when I played with my GI Joes?

[yakarotsennin]

This is mind-boggling cool!!! I'm gonna see if I can suggest this to my school.

[andrewthimgan]

Hello Craig. Thank you for posting your video of the augmented reality sandbox. Last summer, I built one for my 5th-grade classroom. It works great and kids are learning many lessons from it. I recently added a bulk bag of small fossils so they can use it as a dino dig as well. Just an idea for you!

[Ehsidorah]

This should have gone viral. I am homeschooled and i need this stuff.

[BusyBeeRecovery]

HOLY 💩‼️ This is the most insanely ingenious, interesting, intriguing, & incredible invention I have seen EVER, EVER, EVER, 👀 👍

[rieger.design]

I built it once too and it was endless hours of fun