I keep seeing people on twitter and such posting this video purportedly from the Japan Institute of Science and Technology showing some research students adapting Quantum Levitation to a scale model wipeout track. The little cars are “fueled” up with liquid nitrogen and then float around the track, showing what could be the future of transportation.
Or do they? After watching the video I have to admit it looks like some clever motion-tracking VFX work. It’s well done, yes, but I’m pretty sure it’s just a clever hoax. What do you think?
definitely VFX. The 3DConnexion Space Pilot controller at the start of the race gives it away as coming from a 3D production house! And the quality is way to high and a little cheesy for an authentic ‘research institute’ – soundtrack, flashy logo’s, pixeled ID badges, brand new lab coats and gloves (OTT for liquid nitrogen), lighting setup so the shadows are indistinct, drum kit in the background, etc. The first shot of the table there are dodgy shadows on the right hand side.
* tell-tale cropping problems around SpacePilot cable and controller
* in the first shot of the track it slides to left wrt to the floor.
* cheesy “lab coats” walking past door shot.
Still, they made me watch it a few dozen times, so I guess they win!
I actually think this is real. It’s quantum levitation, not teleportation, and it fits with what I’ve seen of the physics. The gas trail is expected as is the rigid movement of the cars (quantum locking / tracking). What Rich describes as the giveaway is actually pretty accurate. Take a look at this video and you’ll see what I mean. http://youtu.be/Ws6AAhTw7RA
Doh.. thanks for pointing out my bonehead error.. I’ll fix it.
Although, I still think this particular “implementation” is just motion-tracked CG.
Looking at it more, then doing some background searches. It’s a fake. It was made by Sony and SCE Studio Liverpool to promote the Wipeout 2048 game that’s coming out on the PS Vita.
Definitely vfx. The gas trail is the giveaway to me, it’s not badly executed except the very first shot when they’re positioning the car, that looked really poor. The movement of the cars was so rigid too, no float or weave to them at all. I reckon the whole assembly was CGI, tracked into film of an empty tabletop. Had a bit of an Arnold-y feel to it, lots of ambient occlusion.
I agree.. What tipped me off was how the track seems to move separately from the table during the pans.