Water dome-an augmented environment

The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the influence that a water dome has on a person. The following approach was used for this study: (1) a water display was used as a projection screen; (2) the illusion of being under water was created; and (3) experiments with water domes of various sizes were carried out. The water display is a head mounted type water membrane. When the display is projected, the internal surface acts as a concave mirror that can reflect the hand and face of a participant. The water dome is a hemisphere 8 m in diameter. Participants were allowed to see the real world through a transparent wall of water on which computer-generated images were projected. A water dome has the advantage of engaging a participant´s five senses as it enhances the surrounding environment. We developed a water dome that incorporates the points of view of both the artist and the engineer