If you’re from Colorado, you will now get your alerts about changing weather in a whole new way on CBS News. A new multi-dimensional technology, Augmented and Virtual Reality, has been introduced in the First Alert Weather Center. This new way of weather alerts made its debut recently.
First Alert Chief Meteorologist Dave Aguilera introduced this new way of storytelling in VR weather alerts. When introducing this change, Aguilera said, “This is a new technology that Colorado has never seen before with a three-dimensional look at the weather headed to your community.”
He then added, “Colorado’s microclimates are so different and we’ll literally be able to walk you through the rapid changes to prepare you for your day ahead and keep you safe.”
Different Views on VR Weather Alerts
The Director of Broadcast and Engineering, David Harpe, commented on the project saying, “This took several months of hard work.” A team of engineers, graphic artists, and meteorologists came together to make this happen.
Lauren Whitney, First Alert Meteorologist, expressed her excitement saying, “We’re excited because the new technology will help showcase Colorado’s unique weather in a new and modern way.”
Meanwhile, the Engineering Manager, Eric Buckland added, “You won’t see this in many places across the country.” He worked consistently on this project for two years. He also commented on the corporate commitment, “There was a great collaboration between CBS Colorado and CBS News and Stations.”
The Operations manager, Robert Garibay, shares how it works, “They call it ‘cyclorama’ — a green screen in panoramic format. The construction of the green screen was the part.” However, he tells that it took weeks of rehearsals to make it work.
How Do Real-Time Weather Alerts Work?
David Harpe explains that there are two key parts to the virtual presentation space. He shares that the virtual presentation space is made using the same tools used for video game worlds.
Harpe added, “Our artists can create any type of space or virtual objects we’d like to use for presentation: a studio, a room, an outdoor space, display areas for data. Anything we can dream up we can put in the virtual space.”
This was the first part. The second part involves cameras that can track the First Alert Meteorologists. According to David, the tracking technology is extremely precise, down to the millimeter.
When these two parts merge, CBS News Colorado can bring real-time weather data from numerous sources and their meteorologists can interact with this data in the presentation space.
A Quick Wrap
The new AR/VR set technology is a part of the First Alert Weather Center in Colorado. It will complement CBS Colorado’s First Alert Weather Trackers, which will showcase a storm live on your television, and the First Alert Weather Deck, which shows a snow board, wind meter and rain gauge.
It’s impressive how CBS News is leading its way with the new technology.