USC'S Institute for Creative Technologies Receives $100 Million Grant From U.S. Army

USC'S Institute for Creative Technologies Receives $100 Million Grant From U.S. Army Largest Research Grant Ever Received by the Academic Institution Paves Way for Launch of New Commercial Applications Division, ICT Works MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Having successfully completed its first five-year mission, at a budget of $45 million, USC's Institute for Creative Technologies has received a second five-year grant, with the U.S. Army more than doubling its support to $100 million. The endowment represents the largest research grant ever received by the University of Southern California (USC), which originally partnered with the U.S. Army in 1999 to create a new generation of decision-making and leadership-development tools for troops. "This grant is a confirmation of the extraordinary work that ICT has done in its first five years," said Cornelius W. Sullivan, vice provost for research at USC. "It is also the largest research grant ever received by the university." "This would not have been possible without the commitment and support of Dr. Thomas Killion, Dr. John A. Parmentola, Dr. Neil Sullivan, and Dr. Jeffrey Wilkinson. The ICT is committed in next five years to further the research in artificial intelligence, computer graphics and immersive audio to provide more realistic, immersive and effective interactive learning systems that can have an impact upon the capability of soldiers and offer opportunities for a new kind of learning," stated Richard Lindheim, Executive Director of the ICT. "We have seen our efforts implemented at Fort Sill, our expertise utilized in the war against terrorism, and soldiers stating that ICT game-based technology has truly helped make them better and more responsible soldiers. It is a testament to the work being done at the ICT." Mixing the creative input of entertainment artists, military technology and academic researchers, the mandate of the ICT is the creation of Simulations for Interactive Learning, with elements ranging from immersive virtual reality simulators to custom-designed PC/console games. Current ICT initiatives include: FlatWorld -- a mixed reality simulation environment merging cinematic stagecraft techniques with immersive media technology, allowing individuals to walk and run freely among simulated rooms, buildings and streets TLAC-XL/CLAS -- a project that investigates the role of storytelling and interactive dialogue with virtual characters JFETS (Joint Center for Fires and Effects Integration) - a test bed for interactive learning and training technology, located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma ICT Games - Two training simulation games: Full Spectrum Command (PC) and the E3 Games Critic Award winner Full Spectrum Warrior (Xbox), which has since become a top-selling consumer game. Imbued with a high level of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, both games contain features tailored to the Army's training methods and were developed with teaching personnel at the infantry school at Fort Benning, Georgia. About ICT ICT has been challenged by the U.S. Army with the task of helping prepare U.S. troops to make critical on-the-ground decisions through the development of Simulations for Interactive Learning, which utilize advanced virtual reality and simulation technology. This immersive system will be adaptable for a wide range of military objectives and will provide an efficient and cost effective supplement to large-scale military exercises. ICT foresees the expanded use of this advanced technology as a new system for immersive learning -- the next step beyond the Internet -- with exciting applications to industry, entertainment and especially education. ICT aims to design these emotionally engaging, immersive learning environments by tapping the nation's two greatest resources: technology and entertainment. Uniting disparate communities toward a common goal, the venture brings together top creative and technical talent from the Hollywood and video game communities, as well as the assets of the University of Southern California and other research institutions. Core technology to be developed by ICT includes: artificial intelligence which allows digital characters to react to situations like real people; incorporation of compelling, realistic storylines; systems which engage the senses of sight, sound, touch and smell; the next generation of computer hardware, from head-mounted displays to force-feedback devices; and computer networks through which hundreds or thousands of troops worldwide may participate together in live simulations. ICT came to public recognition in 2001 just after the 9/11 attacks when the White House and Army asked the ICT to convene television and film writers, producers and directors, as well as technologists, to help the government assess possible other terrorist scenarios. Over the last two years the ICT has been instrumental in creating computer simulations based on game platforms that have helped support the military's position during the Middle Eastern conflict and the war on terror. The ICT and its projects are sponsored by the U.S. Army and the above release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred. Source: Institute for Creative Technologies CONTACT: Lynda Dorf of B/W/R, +1-310-248-6105, ldorf@bwr-la.com, for Institute for Creative Technologies ------- Profile: International Entertainment