Global Lab : an Interaction , Simulation , and Experimentation Platform based on ” Second Life ” and ” OpenSimulator ”

In this paper we describe a novel platform for virtual worlds called Global Lab. Through example applications, we demonstrate the capabilities of this platform for ubiquitous simulation and experimentation for sensor-based systems. Furthermore, with multimedia information representation and support for bi-directional communication real and virtual devices are connected in the example of a participatory ecosystem scenario. The Global Lab contains multimodal presentation and interaction techniques which enhance universal communication. The overall motivation is to provide a framework with strong support for collaboration in virtual worlds for research purposes.