SIGGRAPH 2014 Releases Sneak Peek Emerging Technologies Video

The SIGGRAPH 2014 Emerging Technologies program showcases the latest interactive and graphics technologies before they transform the way we live and work. Emerging Technologies presents demonstrations of research from several fields, including displays, input devices, collaborative environments, gaming, computer vision, biometrics, wearable computing, scientific visualization, medicine, robotics, and design.  Here's the new preview video to get you an early peek of the wonderful tech coming to Vancouver.

Get Geeked! SIGGRAPH 2013 Releases Emerging Technologies Preview Video

SIGGRAPH 2013 just released its newest preview video ... .this one profiling the amazing experiences in Emerging Technologies.  Learn how attendees will be able to interact with the latest systems before they become hot topics in mainstream media and blogs. Emerging Technologies presents innovative technologies and applications in several fields, from displays and input devices to collaborative environments and robotics, and technologies that apply to film and game production.

You can learn more by clicking here or just watch the video below:

SIGGRAPH 2013 Educators Focus

SIGGRAPH 2013 features five days of talks, technical sessions, hands-on exhibits, networking opportunities, and affinity groups specifically geared towards educators.

On Sunday, 21 July, a pair of co-located workshops held at the Hilton Anaheim is being offered specifically for educators: "Processing as Intro to CS" and "Drawing Machines." Also on Sunday, SIGGRAPH 2013 kicks off with the popular "Introduction to Computer Graphics" course for educators and others who want a complete, concise summary of this dynamic field.

On Sunday, 21 July and Monday, 22 July, more than 15 Birds of a Feather sessions focus on a variety of education-related topics, including 3D printing technology, integration of art and science, worlds of art and music, open source in graphics education and more. One session ("Studio View of Demo Reels," on Sunday, 21 July) focuses on game designers' demo reels and the other ("VFX Student and Intern Showcase," on Monday, 22 July) showcases visual-effects production. Other sessions explore open standards, undergraduate research, and multi-disciplinary collaboration in education.

SIGGRAPH 2013 offers several courses that focus on the subject matter that educators teach and/or subjects that educators may want to integrate in their teaching like VFX, physical computing, and new interfaces for musical expression. On Tuesday, 23 July, Art Papers such as "Early History of French Computer Graphics" and "The Emergence and Growth of Evolutionary Art 1980-1993" help students and educators understand the historical context of their academic pursuits.

Production sessions for games and films provide even more opportunities for educators to learn about state-of-the-art applications. And, of course, educators can (and should) see the annual Computer Animation Festival, new products in the Exhibition, Emerging Technologies, and interactive/hands-on activities in the Studio.

Interview with SIGGRAPH 2010 Emerging Technologies Chair Preston Smith

Following below is a brief conversation with Preston Smith, SIGGRAPH 2010 Emerging Technologies Chair from Laureate Institute for Brain Research, who shares his insights and expected highlights for this year's Emerging Technologies.

What various sciences and industries will be involved in the Emerging Technologies area this year?
• Haptics
• Display Technologies
• Interactive Techniques
• Immersive Techniques
• Augmented Reality
• Motion Capture Technologies
• Robotics
• Mobile Phone Technologies
• Laser Technologies

How is the 2010 Emerging Technologies different from previous years?

This year’s Emerging Technologies will be a focused, choice selection of the very best of what the industry has to offer. In 2010, we went through the same jury process as previous years except that this year the jury made a second round of selections to really show off the best of the best. Our goal was to engage attendees through diverse and original ideas.

What is the overriding message of Emerging Technologies demonstrations this year?

Beyond a doubt, our message this year is that innovation is alive and well in the computer graphics and interactive techniques world. We will showcase a wide variety of technologies that should surprise, inspire, and truly make people wonder.

What trends in technology, consumer products or other areas do you see indicated by the submissions for Emerging Technologies this year?

Display technology continues to be a hot subject and shows important innovation, plus interactive technologies are reaching new heights and spanning across all the human senses.

What implications does the Emerging Technologies venue have for artists and others working in the computer graphics industry?

This year’s message and implication for anyone in computer graphics is that today's ideas can be realized and can be tomorrow’s daily tool in computer graphics or interactivity. We hope that people walking through Emerging Technologies will leave inspired to push the envelope and be creative in their professional lives.

How did you become involved with SIGGRAPH, how many years have you been involved, and what led you to become the Emerging Technologies Chair?
I attended college later in my life than the typical student and was working with a large retail company when “Jurassic Park” came out, which inspired me to become a part of the computer graphics industry. So I went to college and happened to meet a professor who was a member and attendee of SIGGRAPH.

He informed me of the possibility of being a part of the conference as a student volunteer. So, in 1996 I submitted and was accepted as a student volunteer. That experience with the industry first hand, and with the incredible people behind it, was all it took to make me never want to miss being a part of this amazing and historical event. I have been a part of SIGGRAPH ever since.

From student volunteer to student volunteer team leader to subcommittee, every year’s participation has been incredible. So this marks my 15th year and every year I have played a role in Emerging Technologies. From my first year’s assignment (the Digital Bayou) up to my current role as Emerging Technologies Chair, my personal goal is to give my services and abilities toward making the conference a great experience for attendees, contributors, and volunteers alike.

You have served a few different roles on Emerging Technologies - what did you most gain or learn from each of these roles?

I seriously think the role of student volunteer is what sets the stage to truly learn to do every task to the best of one’s abilities. As a student volunteer, we tackle a variety of tasks – some mundane, which helps to establish the required humility and willingness to do anything all the while developing an appreciation for the many opportunities presented at SIGGRAPH. It is truly an experience that can have an immense impact on your professional life for many, many years.

Editor's note: To view the SIGGRAPH 2010 Emerging Technologies preview video, click here. For a full description of each technology that will be on display, click here.