Bring your creations to life with the Augmented Reality Sandbox! It uses innovative technology to show you how water moves on land.
Kinect – infrared laser scanner continually monitoring sand movement to adapt the projection colours and hand movement to tell the laptop when to make it rain
Laptop – produces digital elevation model, computes hydraulics of surface run-off (when virtual rain is added) and generates images to project onto the sand
Projector – projects the images (coloured elevation, contour lines, water) created by laptop
Step 1: Shape the sand
Use your hands to shape the sand and see how the coloured elevation map and contour lines change
Step 2: Make it rain
Hold your hand about 30cm above the sand with your fingers spread apart to make it rain
Step 3: Create a landscape
Shape the sand to make kills, valleys, rivers and lakes and see how the water moves between them
The PARM shows you how water moves and flows. It helps you to better understand flood risk and how homes can be protected.
A PARM consists of a 3D printed scale model of a landscape, based on laser data that has measured precise distances, with a projector that overlays information onto the 3D model.
Flood maps projected on to the model show areas that have been affected by flooding in the past and which are likely to be affected during future flood events. Various types of information can be projected on to the model, for example landmarks, rivers, buildings, terrain and land use. In addition, animation can be incorporated to show water flow and transport routes.
Information shown on the accompanying display screen helps to interpret the 3D model, for example local catchment details, historic information and photographs.
Using a 3D model makes it easier to visualise flood risk and the benefit of flood defences. Lots of different types of information can be projected onto the 3D map, meaning the model is easily adaptable and flexible to meet different peoples needs.
Choose an option on the touchscreen and see the 3D map light up
The display screen will provide more information about what you are seeing on the map
Can you spot anywhere you know?
