Zeb Wood, a lecturer of media arts and science at the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at Indianapolis, has been one of the leading frontrunners of IU innovation in virtual and augmented reality.
Drawing upon a background in 3D animation, Wood has had a string of successes in advancing these prominent technologies that are transforming how we engage with and consume content. His innovations range from a technical training platform using virtual reality to a 3D plasthesis to replace body parts lost to trauma and surgery, a virtual reality dental radiography training application and a virtual reality platform for children with ADHD,
However, one of his main goals is to transform Indiana into a hub for the entertainment industry, while also showing students and faculty that entertainment skills can be applied to industries for which the Hoosier state is known, including the biomedical, manufacturing and sports sectors.
The same technology used in Hollywood is also leveraged to create next generation films and interactive experiences far beyond just entertainment, Wood says. “Indiana can have both; we have so much untapped talent.”
Wood hopes more IU students will pursue careers in virtual reality, augmented reality and other emerging technologies in Indiana.
“It takes educating both private sector stakeholders and faculty around the state to teach each other how these skills transcend entertainment,” Wood said. “Continuing these conversations, connecting the right players, and scaling the showcasing of our Indiana successes — and mistakes — are all a part of making it happen. We have some great advocates on board, including the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office.”
Wood said the state has a good foundation to incentivize hiring with entertainment-oriented tax incentives, and there seems to be growing curiosity amongst both government and private entities on what it may mean to host a hub — in the central part of the U.S. — for filmmaking, sports broadcasting and marketing using virtual production technologies.
“I’ve always been fascinated with extended realities and 3D animation, and I’m passionate about creating opportunities for young professionals to retain tech talent for the state of Indiana,” he said. “Indiana is evolving quickly and supports many exciting startups powered in part by students like ours.”
Within the IU community, Wood wants to be a resource for other faculty who are interested in learning more about extended realities and how it can empower their research and treat their patients. He also wants to help facilitate faculty collaborations with Luddy School students to create prototypes for spatial computing.
Wood has worked with the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office for several years to take his research to market, and he recently won the IU Idea to Startup Pitch Competition with his virtual reality platform for children with ADHD.
“ICO supports IU researchers and faculty in numerous facets such as patent filing and finding industry collaboration opportunities,” Wood said. “ICO continually engages and checks in on my research efforts and has been a wonderful resource for all of my inventions. We are just getting started, and we can’t wait to show everyone what’s next.”
Bri Heron, technology marketing manager at Indiana University’s Innovation and Commercialization Office, contributed to this story.
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