VR Shark Research App

Investigating a deceased great white shark through VR and photogrammetry

The earliest version of this prototype was done somewhat haphazardly.

My friends at The Dyer Island Conservation Trust had responded to reports of a deceased great white shark. Local residents had interupted individuals who were in the process of decapitating the animal.

I’d demonstrated photogrammetry previously and because the results were so strong they were keen to do the same, allowing a 3D record of the animal to be saved.

When we finished the reconstruction, my colleages at Staffordshire University (Tom Vine and Richard Harper) and I built a very basic suite of tools that would allow its investigation.

We also incorporated an additional reconstruction created from a smooth hound shark, earlier in the year.

Further tools, functionality and an enhanced User Interface

Response to this initial prototype was strong, receiving upport from Academics and visitors to the University. As a result of more requests for public demonstration, we needed to enhance the provided control scheme.

Unfortunately we didn’t have an incredible amount of time to sink into the project. We worked on this in our lunchtimes and so, we needed to use our time carefully. I came up with a simple disc concept which would allow users to quickly move between methods of interaction and navigation.

Though rudimentary in nature, the method resulted in an immediate improvement in user experience. Users of all ages very quickly became comfortable with the environment and enjoyed investigating the samples.

I explored shark research through photogrammetry in more detail through Digitising Wildlife. Additional thanks to Marine Dynamics for their support on this project.