Immersive Flora: Re-Engaging with the Forest through the Visualisation of Plant-Environment Interactions in Virtual Reality
Youyang Hu, Cyprien Raymi Fol, Chiaochi Chou, Verena C. Griess, Yasuaki Kakehi
Abstract
In response to recent calls for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to address ongoing environmental crises and promote the engagement between humans and nature, this paper presents Immersive Flora, a living plants-driven interactive system that re-engages users with the natural environment by virtually showcasing the diverse plant-environment interactions inside a forest. By utilizing biosensors to detect and analyze the intricate biological reactions of plants to wind, rain and sunlight, we explore the diversity of natural elements perceived by these plants within their wilderness habitat. This information is subsequently translated into a sophisticated virtual particle system that will react in real-time to mimic a change in the natural environment. This system is constructed utilizing point cloud data derived from the 3D reconstruction of plants and the forest environment. Through the expression of plant-environment interactions via particle manipulation, we establish an innovative interface reconnecting humans to the natural world.