‘Roo offers new opportunities
Tree ‘roo may lure tourists
A virtual tree kangaroo could become the Far North’s newest tourism ambassador, inviting overseas visitors to check out rare wildlife in our rainforests.
James Cook University researchers have unveiled the giant leap in progress they have made in the past 18 months developing “Kimberley”, a Lumholz tree kangaroo who has been digitally rendered in a 3D rainforest environment.
The joint project with the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group has been attempting to allow anyone to experience one of the enigmatic marsupials via a VR headset without venturing into the forest.
A VIRTUAL tree kangaroo could become the Far North’s newest tourism ambassador, inviting overseas visitors to check out rare wildlife in our rainforests.
James Cook University researchers have unveiled the giant leap in progress they have made in the past 18 months developing “Kimberley”, a $10,500 Lumholtz tree kangaroo that has been digitally rendered in a 3D rainforest environment.
The joint project with the Tablelands-based Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group has been trying to allow anyone to experience one of the enigmatic marsupials via a VR headset without actually venturing into the forest.
Kimberley, which is modelled on a real-life tree kangaroo, now appears on a virtual wooden deck, walking and crouching along the railing.
Users can watch the realistic way the animal walks, while taking in the sights and sounds of the surrounding rainforest, including a flowing stream with mossy boulders.
David Hudson, from the mammal group, said the project would aim to introduce Kimberley to tourism visitor centres and to schools.
“There’s no limit, really, on where she can be used,” he said. “We want people to use this and get very excited about tree kangaroos.”
He said they were seeking investors to help develop the technology further.
James Cook University computer science researcher Aidan Possemiers said the technology behind Kimberley, primarily used in video games, required a high degree of complexity in order to make the tree kangaroo appear realistic.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland destination con- tent executive Amy Mail was blown away by the experience.
“You could take a Lumholtz tree kangaroo experience to Melbourne, the US, and have people experience a destination before they come here,” she said. “It compels them to come here.”