Nokia Research Westwood Experience in Hollywood Augmented Reality 3D Reality Show in UCLAville

If you want an augmented/mixed reality experience Nokia is bringing one to the town neighboring UCLA, Westwood.

Nokia Research Center (NRC), Hollywood, has begun a private pilot of its research project, the Westwood Experience. The augmented realtiy pilot explores how a narrative, combined with a user's physical location (context) augmented with digital content as well as social interactions with other "participants" can enhance the user experience and provide the media industry with new options and business models.

The story unfolds as the participants wander through the village of Westwood. They learn about a man, and the woman who changed his life through one magic evening, and how both of them are forever tied to Westwood. Using the Nokia N900's visual and audio capabilities and adding physical location elements, mixed reality effects, a live actor and a physical movie set, the user is guided through the story interacting with the real world around them.

The Westwood Experience may be seen as a new form of "3D reality show". "Real" streets and buildings provide the story locations for the real and virtual characters. The audience walks through the story.