“TeleZone” is a robotic installation with Internet components that enable the Web community to build a city, view it, and fill it with social life.

The “TeleZone” installation is a unique blend of virtual and real space at the interface of architecture, appropriate social behavior in the Internet, art and technology. A robot set up in the Ars Electronica Center and conceived as an extension of the data sphere makes it possible for an open community of users to collaboratively plan and build a city. “TeleZone” is the crystallization point for the emergence of the first virtual community whose discourses and activities are reflected and manifested not only digitally; rather, they also assume an immediate, physical form in the development of the installation.

The “TeleZone” as a real object is a 2 x 2-meter surface positioned beneath a robot arm. The area is subdivided into 256 tiny 10 x 10-centimeter parcels. Four such parcels make up the respective building sites; four-centimeter-wide margins run between them. The building sites are arrayed about the quasi-public “Times Square” in the center, where an LCD display provides news and commentary. Building materials are tiny plastic blocks (2 x 1 x 1 cm) that are depicted at the “TeleZone” website as three-dimensional elements (Voxels). The plastic elements are precisely positioned and stuck into place up to a maximum height of 60 cm. by the robot arm. The planning of the buildings as well as the activation of the robot arm is possible only through the website.

TeleZone is supported by: Wittmann Kunststoffgeräte, Telekom Austria

Produced in cooperation with: Department of Media Technology and Design at the Hagenberg Institute of Technology: DI Dr. Wilhelm Burger;
Department of Software Engineering at the Hagenberg Institute of Technology: Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Jacak Witold;
Department of Design and Efficiency Research at the Technical University of Vienna: Univ. Ass. DI Dr. Peter Purgathofer;
Department of Journalism and Communications Studies at the University of Vienna, Working Group for Electronic Media and New Media: Univ. Ass. Mag. Gerhild Götzenbrucker;
Center for Gerontology and Social Policy Research at the Academy of the Province of Lower Austria, St. Pölten, Department of Social Welfare and Health: Mag. Bernd Löger

Industrial Design: Gregor Pauschitz