The Oracle Experience

Visitor Journey

graph TD
    A[Visitor Approaches] --> B[Motion Detection]
    B --> C[Podium Activates]
    C --> D[Beam Microphone Locks]
    D --> E[Visitor Speaks Question]
    E --> F[AI Processing]
    F --> G[Entity Responds]
    G --> H[Physical Morph]
    H --> I[Conversation Continues]
    I --> J[Natural Conclusion]

Walk-Up Choreography

Approach – The Oracle platform has a teal light. A bronze disc in the floor lights up when someone steps on it.

Capture – Microphone array and depth camera focus on the visitor. Background noise reduced to -48 dB.

Dialogue – Visitor asks a question. The Oracle responds through directional speakers using ElevenLabs voice synthesis to match the persona’s speech patterns.

Morph – Personas change through particle effects built in Unreal Engine. The transitions cover processing time while loading the next figure.

Release – Ten seconds of silence or stepping away resets the system for the next visitor.

Audio Experience Sample

Sample Conversation

Tap to hear a sample exchange between a visitor and the Indiana Sage — one of several default oracle voices available to all visitors.

Note: Default personas are always available for conversations.

Vonnegut Persona Sample

Interaction snippet between a visitor and the Kurt Vonnegut persona — showcasing how historical figures engage with questions about creativity, humanity, and life in Indiana.

Note: Celebrity personas require proper licensing and estate approval before public deployment.

Visitor Experience Visualization

Live Interaction — A visitor engages in conversation with the Oracle, showing the scale and presence of the holographic figure in the physical space.

Persona Transition Demo

Live demonstration: Oracle Entity transitioning from Kurt Vonnegut to Alfred Kinsey

Featured Oracle Demo: Lil Bub

Lil Bub Oracle Visualization — Bloomington’s beloved internet sensation who brought joy to millions worldwide and raised awareness for special needs pets. The Oracle Entity technology renders Lil Bub’s distinctive personality and charm.

Accessibility Features

Audio Descriptions: Full narration for visually impaired visitors
Closed Captions: Real-time transcription of all spoken content
Height-Adjustable Interface: Podium accommodates wheelchair users
Multiple Language Support: Translation capabilities for non-English speakers
Simplified Mode: Reduced complexity for cognitive accessibility
Sign Language Integration: ASL interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors

Legal Process (Proposed for Post-Funding)

Rights Clearance Strategy (If Funded)

Note: No contact has been initiated with estates or individuals at this point. Only the general Indiana Oracle is trained, with one persona as proof of concept (not public).

If the project receives funding, the process would include:

Engaging intellectual property attorneys specializing in personality rights
Working through university intermediaries if funding comes from IU
Establishing formal contact protocols with estates and representatives
Developing revenue-sharing proposals where appropriate

Proposed approach for different persona types:

For Historical Figures:

University legal departments to initiate formal estate contact
IP attorneys to negotiate likeness rights
Academic fair use evaluation for educational contexts
Clear usage boundaries and content guidelines

For Living Personalities:

Direct consultation through professional representatives
Formal licensing agreements
Ongoing approval processes for content
Flexible participation models based on comfort level

Fallback Framework

Primary Experience: The Indiana Sage and complementary foundational personas provide compelling visitor experiences regardless of celebrity participation status.

Modular Design: Individual personality modules can be activated, modified, or retired without affecting core Oracle functionality.

Educational Focus: All interactions prioritize historical education, cultural preservation, and civic engagement — values that transcend any single personality.

Community-Driven Content: Local historians, educators, and cultural leaders provide authentic Indiana perspectives that form the Oracle’s knowledge foundation.

Regional Persona Library: Beyond historical figures, the system supports Indiana archetypes representing the state’s diverse character — the limestone worker, the family farmer, the cycling enthusiast, the outdoor adventurer. These personas capture authentic Hoosier experiences and regional wisdom, adding depth to conversations regardless of celebrity participation.

The Oracle’s mission — connecting visitors with Indiana’s rich history and culture — remains compelling whether featuring celebrity personas or powered entirely by our foundational Indiana voices.