Innovation lab offers new technology to students
The University of New Orleans recently unveiled the Innovation Lab, the newest addition to the Earl K. Long Library, on Thursday.
The lab includes a 3D printer, high-end computers, motion capture studio equipped with two Xbox Kinect motion capture devices and a green screen for video filming.
To go along with the motion capture devices, the game development space will also have the Unity 5 and Unreal 4 gaming engines.
Popular video games like “Street Fighter V” and “Gears of War 4” use the Unreal 4 engine, while the Unity 5 engine is mainly used for mobile apps like “Angry Birds.”
With the new lab, students will have more opportunities to explore technological equipment that were not available to them before. UNO offered their very first game development course that uses this same equipment.
“[The goal] is to bring students and faculty back to the library as a space and provide them with a technology sandbox,” said Lora Amsberryaugier, the interim associate dean of library services. “[We also] want to make technology accessible to that person that may not be in a particular discipline that would use a 3-D printer, or a green screen, or a motion capture studio or high-end computing. This way you can come in and learn what you might not learn in a class.”
Amsberryaugier led the charge in trying to start the Innovation Lab, an effort that was started by a student who came to her in need of equipment for class.
“The original reason that I started this was because I had a student come to me and tell me that they weren’t able to get into the lab that they needed to after 4:30 because they were a undergraduate and there had been some problems and only graduate students were allowed in that lab,” Amsberryaugier said.
Even though the project started with just trying to get computers for students who need the software, a grant in 2015 from the Board of Regions allowed Amsberryaugier to get more equipment for use and even more software.
To make room for the Innovation Lab, equipment like vinyl, cassette players and microfilm projectors will be moved to the fourth floor, which is currently being renovated to house the equipment.
With more room, Amsberryaugier hopes to expand in the future.
“Where I see us moving, there are different types of 3-D printers available to anybody that prints in different types of mediums. This one prints using Gypsum, which is kind of like powder from drywall. I see bringing us into something that prints using paper as a medium, which is pretty cool,” Amsberryaugier said.
Before that can go into effect, the main goal is to secure more money to run the day-to-day operations of the lab and it’s equipment. The lab will start a funding site as well to help raise money.
As of now, students can use the lab if they wish for free and no appointment is needed while outside members of the UNO community will be charged. In the future, the lab may implement fees to help sustain itself.
Staffers will be on hand to assist anyone who needs help working the equipment.
The Innovation Lab is located on the third floor of the library and currently has the same hours as the library.