Immersive virtual digital twins of real locations

Virtual Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island (MI) is a subantarctic island situated 1,500km southeast of Tasmania. Virtual Macquarie Island (VMI) is a virtual version of this real, physical location. Recognised as a site of world heritage significance, The real MI is abundant with charismatic fauna and unique flora but it is not accessible to the general public or to most scientists. VMI uses a combination of scientific visualization, computer animation and game engine methodologies to create a novel form of immersive experiential documentary which is accessible and appealing to the general public as well as to science specialists.

VMI combines satellite, and other data sources with procedural modelling and animation workflows to create a prototype digital exhibit and environmental simulation. Workflows currently in development include the construction of scenes around the island using satellite data, where the data is used for more than terrain modelling. An ultimate aim of the project is to use near-real-time satellite data to effectively create a Digital Twin of the island. This means, for instance, tracking and deriving species distribution from satellite imagery and using this to drive the distribution of animals and plants in our simulation. This functionality will enable scientists and the general public to observe ecological changes over time, in a novel and immersive way.

The first output of the VMI project is an 18-minute 4K projection completed in August 2022, currently on display at TMAG. Future outputs include an interactive VR experience aimed at transporting the viewer to one of the world’s most spectacular natural habitats where they can fly with an albatross or be surrounded by a million penguins.