A PC-based distributed multiple display virtual reality system

In this paper, a PC-based distributed multiple-display virtual reality system is constructed. The system is a PC-based CAVE environment. Five PCs are used in this system; one is the master responsible for receiving user's input signals, the others are clients for images rendering. Devices are added to synchronize the RGB signals from client PCs.

A software library is developed to drive the system properly. The software is designed in object-oriented language and flexibility for different interface devices is considered.

With the proposed system, developers can easily elaborate PC-based virtual reality applications and build PC virtual worlds at much lower cost.     

Experiencing immersive virtual reality in museums

Virtual Reality (VR) has been regarded as a highly effective technology that enables people to gain enjoyable and immersive information about museum collections. Drawing from the four realms of the experience economy, we assume absorptive experiences influence immersive experiences, overall museum VR tour experience, and intention to visit a museum. The results show that all the hypotheses are supported. Furthermore, we compared and tested the proposed model and its rival model (postulating the direct influence of the four realms of the experience economy on museum VR experience) and found that the proposed model is better than the rival model.     

Intelligent virtual environments for virtual reality art

The development of virtual reality (VR) art installations is faced with considerable difficulties, especially when one wishes to explore complex notions related to user interaction. We describe the development of a VR platform, which supports the development of such installations, from an art+science perspective. The system is based on a CAVE™-like immersive display using a game engine to support visualisation and interaction, which has been adapted for stereoscopic visualisation and real-time tracking. In addition, some architectural elements of game engines, such as their reliance on event-based systems have been used to support the principled definition of alternative laws of Physics. We illustrate this research through the development of a fully implemented artistic brief that explores the notion of causality in a virtual environment. After describing the hardware architecture supporting immersive visualisation we show how causality can be redefined using artificial intelligence technologies inspired from action representation in planning and how this symbolic definition of behaviour can support new forms of user experience in VR.     

Two-handed assembly with immersive task planning in virtual reality

Assembly modelling is the process of capturing entities and activity information related to assembling and assembly. Currently, most CAD systems have been developed to ease the design of individual components, but are limited in their support for assembly designs and planning capability, which are crucial for reducing the cost and processing time in complex design, constraint analysis and assembly task planning. This paper presents a framework of a two-handed virtual assembly (VA) planner for assembly tasks, which coordinates two hands jointly for feature-based manipulation, assembly analysis and constraint-based task planning. Feature-based manipulation highlights the important assembling features (e.g. dynamic reference frames, moving arrow, mating features) to guide users for the ease of assembly and in an efficient and fluid manner. The users can freely navigate and move the mating pair along the collision-free path. The free motion of two-handed input in assembly is further restricted to the allowable motion guided by the constraints recognised on-line. The allowable motion in assembly is planned by the logic steps derived from the analysis of constraints and their translation in the progress of assembly. No preprocessing or predefined assembly sequence is necessary since the planning is produced in real-time upon the two-handed interactions. Mating features and constraints in databases are automatically updated after each assembly to simplify the planning process. The two-handed task planner has been developed and experimented for several assembly examples including a drill (12-parts) and a robot (17-parts). The system can be generally applied for the interactive task planning of assembly-type applications.     

Head-mounted display versus desktop for 3D navigation in virtual reality: a user study

Virtual Reality (VR) has been constantly evolving since its early days, and is now a fundamental technology in different application areas. User evaluation is a crucial step in the design and development of VR systems that do respond to users’ needs, as well as for identifying applications that indeed gain from the use of such technology. Yet, there is not much work reported concerning usability evaluation and validation of VR systems, when compared with the traditional desktop setup. The paper presents a user study performed, as a first step, for the evaluation of a low-cost VR system using a Head-Mounted Display (HMD). That system was compared to a traditional desktop setup through an experiment that assessed user performance, when carrying out navigation tasks in a game scenario for a short period. The results show that, although users were generally satisfied with the VR system, and found the HMD interaction intuitive and natural, most performed better with the desktop setup.

Towards a customizable immersive virtual reality serious game for earthquake emergency training

Earthquake emergencies require a variety of behavioral responses in order to ensure the safety of occupants, which is different from simply exiting a building in fire emergencies. This makes it more complex to train building occupants in order to acquire skills that align to best practices for immediate earthquake response and post-earthquake evacuation. In recent years, Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) and Serious Games (SGs) have become popular as training tools for earthquake emergencies. IVR SGs have been introduced to train individuals for specific building layouts or settings with fixed training objectives. However, the lack of flexibility in existing IVR SGs makes it challenging to have widespread uptake as trainees require different training objectives, pedagogical strategies, context, and content. As a result, the effectiveness of IVR SGs training is jeopardized if the customization ability is limited. To overcome this limitation, this paper presents a customization framework for IVR SGs suited to earthquake emergency training, using the concept of adaptive game-based learning. Trainees can receive training in context by customizing virtual environments, storylines, and teaching methods. A case study was undertaken to validate the proposed framework. Results showed the potential to carry out the customization process with ease, to generate a customized training experience, and to deliver the customized training for optimum learning.     

Acoustic Simulation with Dynamic Mechanisms in Virtual Reality

Although most investigators have realized the importance of acoustic simulation in sophisticated VR systems,large computational load involved in this process often contradicts the requirements of real-time interaction,which in return bring on applying the expensive hardware or VR-specific workstations to this area.In order to reduce the computational cost and try to realize the real-time acoustic simulation in software with (or even without)some low-cost hardware,this paper proposes some dynamic mechanisms which can be used as possible strategies embedded into acoustic simulation in VR.Preliminary implementation of those mechanisms has proved to be fairly effective.     

A research agenda for augmented and virtual reality in architecture,engineering and construction

This paper presents a study on the usage landscape of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors, and proposes a research agenda to address the existing gaps in required capabilities. A series of exploratory workshops and questionnaires were conducted with the participation of 54 experts from 36 organisations from industry and academia. Based on the data collected from the workshops, six AR and VR use-cases were defined: stakeholder engagement, design support, design review, construction support, operations and management support, and training. Three main research categories for a future research agenda have been proposed, i.e.: (i) engineering-grade devices, which encompasses research that enables robust devices that can be used in practice, e.g. the rough and complex conditions of construction sites; (ii) workflow and data management; to effectively manage data and processes required by AR and VR technologies; and (iii) new capabilities; which includes new research required that will add new features that are necessary for the specific construction industry demands. This study provides essential information for practitioners to inform adoption decisions. To researchers, it provides a research road map to inform their future research efforts. This is a foundational study that formalises and categorises the existing usage of AR and VR in the construction industry and provides a roadmap to guide future research efforts.     

Using virtual reality and 3D industrial numerical models for immersive interactive checklists

At the different stages of the PLM, companies develop numerous checklist-based procedures involving prototype inspection and testing. Besides, techniques from CAD, 3D imaging, animation and virtual reality now form a mature set of tools for industrial applications. The work presented in this article develops a unique framework for immersive checklist-based project reviews that applies to all steps of the PLM. It combines immersive navigation in the checklist, virtual experiments when needed and multimedia update of the checklist. It provides a generic tool, independent of the considered checklist, relies on the integration of various VR tools and concepts, in a modular way, and uses an original gesture recognition. Feasibility experiments are presented, validating the benefits of the approach.     

An investigation into nausea and other side-effects of head-coupled immersive virtual reality

This paper is written from a human factors perspective and discusses research into some of the side-effects of head-coupled immersive virtual reality. The paper provides a broad overview of the history of virtual reality and highlights some of the important current human factors issues. Reasons why side-effects of virtual reality technology may be expected are then discussed with particular reference to the literature on motion sickness and simulator sickness. A study is described which set out to document the frequency of occurrence and severity of side-effects of immersion in virtual reality. One hundred and fifty subjects took part in this study and were immersed in a virtual environment for 20 minutes. Sixty-one percent of the subjects were documented as reporting symptoms at some point during the 20 minute immersion period and a 10 minute post-immersion period. Five percent of the subjects had to withdraw from the study due to the severity of their symptoms. This finding led to further research that attempted to reduce the side-effects observed. Studies investigating the use of adaptation and the anti-motion sickness drug hyoscine hydrobromide are described. Both of these methods of reducing the side-effects of virtual reality proved successful with the hyoscine proving to be a very rapid method of symptom reduction.     

Effective virtual reality based building navigation using dynamic loading and path optimization

Although computer capabilities have been improved significantly, a large-scale virtual reality (VR) system demands much more in terms of memory and computation than the current computer systems can offer. This paper discusses two important issues related to VR performance and applications in building navigation. These are dynamic loading of models based on cell segmentation for the optimal VR operation, and the route optimization based on path planning for easy navigation. The VR model of engineering and information technology complex (EITC) building at the University of Manitoba is built as an example to show the feasibility of the proposed methods. The reality, enhanced by three-dimensional (3D) real-time interactivity and visualization, leads navigators into a state of the virtual building immersion.     

ERT-VR: an immersive virtual reality system for emergency rescue training

Virtual reality technology offers a cost effective means to train emergency rescuers, which is an urgent task on account of the increasing terrorist acctivities. An immersive virtual reality system called ERT-VR is introduced. In ERT-VR, the display system based on stereoscopic projectors is used to train the emergency rescue commanders. The members of the operational teams use head-mounted display as the display system. The 3D scenario creator is the most important unit in ERT-VR. Instructors assign a specific training scenario to the trainees by using the scenario creator. Trainees take on the role of the characters in the training scenario and control their actions and ultimately the scenario outcomes. All the actions are recorded into the database system and can be replayed anytime. The potential of each trainee is evaluated by an expert system.     

Live delivery of neurosurgical operating theater experience in virtual reality

A system for assisting in microneurosurgical training and for delivering interactive mixed reality surgical experience live was developed and experimented in hospital premises. An interactive experience from the neurosurgical operating theater was presented together with associated medical content on virtual reality eyewear of remote users. Details of the stereoscopic 360‐degree capture, surgery imaging equipment, signal delivery, and display systems are presented, and the presence experience and the visual quality questionnaire results are discussed. The users reported positive scores on the questionnaire on topics related to the user experience achieved in the trial.     

Using virtual reality to determine how emergency signs facilitate way-finding

In this study, virtual reality was the tool used to construct an experimental space. Three scenarios - one without emergency signs, another with an old-version emergency sign, and the third with a new-version emergency sign - were created, after which 107 subjects, divided into three groups, engaged in an emergency escape game to determine if and how various emergency signs aid in way-finding in the event of an emergency. Under the presupposition that the minimum time needed for an emergency escape without any mistake occurring was 40 s, we found that the average way-finding time in the scenario without any emergency signs was 123.8 s, for the scenario with the new-version signs 84.8 s, and for the scenario with the old-version signs 75.6 s; statistically, this demonstrated that the absence of signs results in slower escape than either old signs (p = 0.001) or new signs (p = 0.005). These findings indicate that signs do help way-finding greatly. Males were found to exhibit better way-finding skills than females (p < 0.001). Construction workers and fire safety personnel, as a combined group, did not fare better than others with less presumed prior experience with building plans or emergency exit procedures. In addition, when faced with both an emergency direction sign and an exit door, almost half of the subjects (42% of the participants) were chosen to take the door instead of following the direction posted on the sign. Finally, we found that, at T-intersections, the majority of participants (60%) chose to turn left versus right.     

基于虚拟技术的MACS实训室的构建

针对过程控制专业实验实训及工厂培训设备M A C S控制系统价格特别昂贵,培训效果差的状况,提出建立基于虚拟技术的MACS实训室的构想。虚拟MACS实训室采用虚拟仪器技术、虚拟现实技术、计算机网络技术、多媒体技术,将昂贵的工业控制系统扩展到网络化的多媒体教学中,实现了由多人共用一套实训设备到每人单独使用此套实训设备的转变,充分利用了硬件资源,极大地节省了实训设备的投资,提高了教学质量与教学效果。     

ClinicaVR: Classroom-CPT: A virtual reality tool for assessing attention and inhibition in children and adolescents

Having garnered interest both in clinic and research areas, the Virtual Classroom (Rizzo et al., 2000) assesses children's attention in a virtual context. The Digital MediaWorks team (www.dmw.ca) has evolved the original basic classroom concept over a number of iterations to form the ClinicaVR Suite containing the Classroom-CPT as one of its components. The present study has three aims: investigate certain validity and reliability aspects of the tool; examine the relationship between performance in the virtual test and the attendant sense of presence and cybersickness experienced by participants; assess potential effects of gender and age on performance in the test. The study was conducted with 102 children and adolescents from Grade 2 to Grade 10. All participants were enrolled in a regular school program. Results support both concurrent and construct validity as well as temporal stability of ClinicaVR: Classroom-Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Gender exerted no effect on performance, while age did. The test did not cause much cybersickness. We recommend ClinicaVR: Classroom-CPT as an assessment tool for selective and sustained attention, and inhibition, in clinic and research domains.     

虚拟现实技术在化学反应工程实验教学中的应用

将虚拟现实技术应用到化学反应工程实验教学中,能大大降低成本,同时也能满足实验教学中情景化及自然交互性的要求。本文概述虚拟现实及其实现技术,提出一种构建化学反应工程虚拟实验室的方案。     

基于虚拟现实的汽车平顺性仿真试验系统设计

本文将虚拟现实技术应用于汽车平顺性仿真试验技术中。对汽车平顺性虚拟试验场景进行了层次化虚拟场景结构设计和汽车平顺性虚拟试验系统对象类设计。研究了汽车平顺性虚拟试验环境建模和交互、双目立体视觉实现等问题。开发了面向视景仿真的汽车平顺性虚拟试验的桌面VR原型系统,划分了系统层次结构,介绍了系统的软硬件基本配置,设计了系统用户操作界面,实现了汽车平顺性虚拟试验要求。     

From sensory substitute technology to virtual reality research

This paper describes research into sensory substitutes for the disabled, and proposes one basic research approach to assistance technology. It also reports on how the technology is related to virtual reality research.     

Using virtual reality for industrial design learning: a methodological proposal

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, the different computer tools available enable designers to create complex industrial prototypes. The use of these tools is constrained by the limitations imposed by common devices, such as screens and displays. Recently emerged virtual and augmented reality techniques have started being used as supports in many learning and industrial environments. Beyond the new possibilities that these tools offer for designing industrial objects, the underlying question is whether these new technologies could improve the creativity of designers to enable them to get a better understanding of the designing process itself. This paper presents a methodological proposal for the deployment of an industrial design engineering course aimed not only at learning different design techniques, but also at assessing the creativity skills of students. The practical contents include the use of virtual reality devices, to help the designer overcome the limitations of prototype visualisation and make better designing decisions. Moreover, a creativity test will be performed at the beginning and at the end of the course to assess the changes in creativity skills taking place within the experiment group versus the changes in a traditional learning (control) group.