POPO (Pop On Pop Off) is a 3D visual programming language for virtual reality that makes it possible to program interactive VR environments from inside of those environments. Unlike 2D visual programming languages, which are limited to top-down execution of instructions, POPO's 3D block structure听executes instructions from the top-down and from the center-out. This structure allows programmers to construct their code as complex, branching 3D structures, which helps to visualize the logical and spatial relationships between code elements. POPO also explores how the embodied interaction of grabbing code blocks and snapping them together can听emphasize听the playfulness and creativity of programming.

ACME Lab

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Additional researcher: Ajume Wingo, associate professor of听philosophy, CU Boulder

Associated Researchers

Ellen Yi-Luen Do
Ellen Yi-Luen Do
Professor • Director, ATLAS Partnerships & Innovation • ACME Lab • DESIGN, TANGIBLE INTERACTION, HAPPY HEALTHY LIVING • COMPUTER SCIENCE
ATLAS Institute
Daneil Leithinger
Daniel Leithinger
Visiting Assistant Professor • THING Lab • SHAPE CHANGING & HAPTIC INTERFACES • COMPUTER SCIENCE
Julia Uhr
Julia Uhr
PhD, Creative Technology and Design 鈥�23 • MIXED REALITY, GAME, TECH POLICY, PROGRAMMING LANGUAUGE FOR VR
ATLAS Institute

In the news

Animated view of a castle with trees around it, as well as showing where variables are chosen in the VR world of Popo.
POPO lets novices program from inside their VR surroundings

Nov. 9, 2021

Julia Uhr, an ATLAS PhD student and researcher in the ACME Lab, has created a fun 3D visual programming language that empowers novice coders to create customized VR environments while inside those environments.