This video shows how a laser character interacts with the keynote speaker
at a corporate meeting.
Note that in order to
play the video, you will need to have a
copy of Windows Media Player version 9
installed.

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Audiences are amazed when a 20-foot-high laser
"puppet" comes alive and starts interacting directly with them. In
1999, this virtual reality system, originally developed by
Pangolin for
Cramer Productions (Norwood, Mass.), won first place for
“Special Application” in the ILDA Awards.
Since then, it has been used in major corporate presentations, for
clients such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Hewlett-Packard and United
Auto Workers. Now Pangolin has made this same award-winning live
laser interaction available to any laserist.
The "Lasershow Puppeteer" system uses VR-style
data gloves and a motion tracker to control individual elements of
the animated character. The virtual reality (VR) operator moves
his hands and fingers to turn the animated head, open and close
its mouth, raise its eyebrows, etc. For corporate theater
applications, the operator watches a video monitor from an
off-stage position, so he can talk to talent or passersby while
controlling the laser-projected "puppet’s" motion. To see
Lasershow Puppeteer in action,
click here.
The puppet graphics can be realistic,
cartoon-like or even an animated logo or product – it is all up to
the artist’s imagination. And a computer keyboard or MIDI keyboard
can trigger pre-defined animated laser sequences (Showtime clips),
such as bursting fireworks or awards introductions. The puppet can
even interact with a Showtime show that’s playing at the same
time.
Lasershow Puppeteer requires VR hardware and
the Lasershow Puppeteer program, both of which are available from
Pangolin. Various configurations are possible, from a simple
one-glove-only set-up, to a full system with two data gloves, a
6-degree-of-freedom motion tracker and MIDI Keyboard.
Lasershow Puppeteer may be used in a
variety of applications where a unique human-like crowd
interaction is desired. A few applications are:
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Trade shows -- the puppet
can interact with the crowd and draw attention to a
vendor's tradeshow booth.
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Corporate meetings --
the puppet can MC the meeting, calling up various
speakers and interacting with the attendees.
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Amusement parks -- as
a novel attraction that people will enjoy
interacting with, and yet always wonder how it
works
For more information about Lasershow
Puppeteer availability and pricing,
contact Pangolin.
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