Spaxels, Pixels in Space - A Novel Mode of Spatial Display

Abstract

We introduce a novel visual display paradigm through the use of controllable moving visible objects in physical space. Spaxels is a conjugation of space and pixels. It takes the notion of a pixel, and frees it from the confines of a static two-dimensional matrix of a screen or projection surface to move three dimensionally in space. Spaxels extend the notion of Voxels, volumetric pixels, in that a Spaxel can physically move, as well as transition in colour and shape. Our current applied research is based on the control of a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with RGB lighting and a positioning system that can be coordinated in three dimensions to create a morphing floating display. This paper introduces Spaxels as a novel concept and paradigm as a new kind of spatial display.