zSpace Introduces New Product, New Partnership
3D technology developer zSpace
had a busy first day at the
ISTE 2015 conference, introducing a new virtual reality learning tool
and
announcing a new partnership with an e-learning publisher.
zSpace launched its zSpace for Education, an
all-in-one virtual
reality program that allows students to manipulate virtual 3D objects
that
range everywhere from human hearts to helicopters, all in an effort to
learn
concepts like math, physics, engineering and biology.
Previously, a zSpace STEM Lab consisted of a set of
12 student
virtual reality stations and a teacher station, each outfitted with an
interactive stylus and a variety of software.
zSpace for Education puts it all together in one
product that
includes:
- High-speed head-tracking that allows smooth
interaction
between students and the 3D objects they can create;
- A virtual reality stylus;
- Touch-screen monitors; and
- Advanced graphics to create realistic virtual
reality experiences.
Students wear 3D tracking glasses to tell the system where the
users' eyes
are in order to present virtual-holographic images that can then be
"lifted" from the screen and manipulated with the stylus within a
"tracking zone."
"We do not live in a flat world," said zSpace CEO
Paul
Kellenberger. "We want to radically change how people use technology in
schools."
Joining zSpace and Kellenberger in that mission will
be
Corinth, a new
start-up launched this year that publishes the digital learning software
Corinth Classroom.
Corinth's software includes a large
library of educational
models, ranging from human anatomy and chemistry to biology, many
incorporating
3D models.
The partnership between the two companies will mean
zSpace
users have access now to more than 200 activities for students in grades 2-12
that
are aligned to state and national standards.
Schools can now purchase zSpace for Education (and
its older
zSpace STEM Labs) bundled with Corinth Classroom software.
"Joining forces with the leading virtual reality
company in
education, zSpace, was a logical step," said Corinth CEO Ondrej Homola. "As a
leader in interactive 3D, we are always aiming to push boundaries
further."
Both zSpace for Education and Corinth Classroom are
on display
at the ISTE 2015 conference June 28-July 1 in Philadelphia.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.