Cell Industries was my undergraduate final year project with Jacob Hammond and Joseph Williams.
The goal was to develop a fictional experience which would allow us to integrate and unite several new web technologies, to use 3D and modern UI and UX techniques and best practices, and to experiment with new ways of interacting with the web.
The fictional experience is that of a futuristic concept of preserving the planet by scanning and cloning sections of the environment. Similar to the concept of crowd funding, the more people who participate, the more of the planet will be preserved.
The key feature, and the most technically challenging, was the cloning process. By combining Google Elevation API, Google Static Maps API and ThreeJS, we were able to programatically generate and display 3D topographical representations of real-world areas. Read more about the step-by-step process here.
We used ThreeJS to display interactive 3D visuals and implemented many best practices including feature detection, progressive enhancement and RWD to ensure an optimal experience on most devices and browsers.
We also added in the ability to rotate the environment using only gestures in front of the webcam by waving your hand (or any part of your body). Although only a very primitive use of the technology, it is an example of how webcam gestures could be used to interact with the web, especially in the accessibility and gaming industries.