WSU professor recognized as ‘Top Idea Innovator’

Sports Business Journal recognized a WSU professor in the school of mechanical and materials engineering as one of the 15 “Top Idea Innovators” in America last month.

“My team and I are thankful to the various people who have supported us and believed in us as we worked tirelessly to bring a concept all the way to a thriving product,” professor and honoree Sankar (Jay) Jayaram said. “This award brings tremendous validation to our work and reinforced our core belief that hard work, innovative thinking and thorough execution is the only way to do it.”

The product Jay and his team created, 3D-4U, is a personal event-viewing software that allows fans to individually experience parts of events. In the 3D version, through the use of 3D glasses and a game controller, people can choose which aspect of the event they want to focus on. In this way, one million people watching a game can view the same event one million different ways.

“Dr. Jay and the 3D-4U team deserves the recognition from the Sports Business Journal as they have come up with a product that is going to fundamentally improve the experience of viewing sports for the public,” said Don Shearer, director of development for the college of engineering and architecture.

Uma Jayaram, associate director for the virtual reality and computer integrated manufacturing laboratory and Jay’s wife, said the program was expected to enhance the experience of any event. Through what she explained as I-3 Media, 3D-4U is going to change the way events like sports games and concerts can be viewed.

Jay and his team have also created a mobile app with similar technology called iStadium. With this app, fans will be able to view specific parts of the game and follow the players as they wish. In addition, this app allows fans to record their own clips from games and concerts and share them with friends on social networking sites.

“This technology will be available to the public once the appropriate permissions are in place,” Uma said.  

Martin Andersen, vice president of production services for 3D-4U, describes 3D-4U’s ability to drastically change the visual experience as “truly remarkable.”

He also suggested how the program can be used in other areas as well, including museums and destinations.

“Once this really gets out there it is going to create a paradigm shift that will change the way people experience events all over the world,” Andersen said.

Uma said that her husband becoming one of the 15 “Top Idea Innovators” allows for 3D-4U to attract the attention it deserves.

“It definitely opens doors and establishes credibility for the technology and for the team,” Uma said. “Our I3 media technology is interactive, immersive, and individualized and has the potential to significantly impact how we experience and consume live events on second-screens like TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile devices.”