Evaluation of a collaborative movement task in a distributed three-dimensional virtual environment

Understanding the collective dynamics of crowd movements during stressful emergency situations is central to reducing the risk of deadly crowd disasters. Yet, their systematic experimental study remains a challenging open problem due to ethical and methodological constraints. In this paper, we demonstrate the viability of shared three-dimensional virtual environments as an experimental platform for conducting crowd experiments with real people. In particular, we show that crowds of real human subjects moving and interacting in an immersive three-dimensional virtual environment exhibit typical patterns of real crowds as observed in real-life crowded situations. These include the manifestation of social conventions and the emergence of self-organized patterns during egress scenarios. High-stress evacuation experiments conducted in this virtual environment reveal movements characterized by mass herding and dangerous overcrowding as they occur in crowd disasters. We describe the behavioural mechanisms at play under such extreme conditions and identify critical zones where overcrowding may occur. Furthermore, we show that herding spontaneously emerges from a density effect without the need to assume an increase of the individual tendency to imitate peers. Our experiments reveal the promise of immersive virtual environments as an ethical, cost-efficient, yet accurate platform for exploring crowd behaviour in high-risk situations with real human subjects.

Download Full-text

A Framework for Designing Component Shapes in a Virtual Reality Environment

Volume 4: Design for Manufacturing Conference ◽

10.1115/detc97/dfm-4372 ◽

1997 ◽

Author(s):

Tushar H. Dani ◽

Rajit Gadh

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

User Interfaces ◽

Computer Aided Design ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Human Interaction ◽

Prototype System ◽

Virtual Design ◽

Cad System ◽

Interactive Editing

Abstract Despite advances in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and the evolution of the graphical user interfaces, rapid creation, editing and visualization of three-dimensional (3D) shapes remains a tedious task. Though the availability of Virtual Reality (VR)-based systems allows enhanced three-dimensional interaction and visualization, the use of VR for ab initio shape design, as opposed to ‘importing’ models from existing CAD systems, is a relatively new area of research. Of interest are computer-human interaction issues and the design and geometric tools for shape modeling in a Virtual Environment (VE). The focus of this paper is on the latter i.e. in defining the geometric tools required for a VR-CAD system and in describing a framework that meets those requirements. This framework, the Virtual Design Software Framework (VDSF) consists of the interaction and design tools, and an underlying geometric engine that provides the representation and algorithms required by these tools. The geometric engine called the Virtual Modeler uses a graph-based representation (Shape-Graph) for modeling the shapes created by the user. The Shape-Graph facilitates interactive editing by localizing the effect of editing operations and in addition provides constraint-based design and editing mechanisms that are useful in a 3D interactive virtual environment. The paper concludes with a description of the prototype system, called the Virtual Design Studio (VDS), that is currently being implemented.1.

Download Full-text

Synthetic Worlds, Synthetic Strategies

Metaplasticity in Virtual Worlds ◽

10.4018/978-1-60960-077-8.ch011 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 182-197

Author(s):

Elif Ayiter

Keyword(s):

Transformative Learning ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

Visual Arts ◽

Teaching Strategies ◽

Learning Strategy ◽

Role Play ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Learning Approach ◽

Visual Identity ◽

Definition Of

This text will attempt to delineate the underlying theoretical premises and the definition of the output of an immersive learning approach pertaining to the visual arts to be implemented in online, three dimensional synthetic worlds. Deviating from the prevalent practice of the replication of physical art studio teaching strategies within a virtual environment, the author proposes instead to apply the fundamental tenets of Roy Ascott’s “Groundcourse”, in combination with recent educational approaches such as “Transformative Learning” and “Constructionism”. In an amalgamation of these educational approaches with findings drawn from the fields of Metanomics, Ludology, Cyberpsychology and Presence Studies, as well as an examination of creative practices manifest in the metaverse today, the formulation of a learning strategy for creative enablement unique to online, three dimensional synthetic worlds; one which will focus upon “Play” as well as Role Play, virtual Assemblage and the visual identity of the avatar within the pursuits, is being proposed in this chapter.

Download Full-text

Visiting Tourist Landmarks in Virtual Reality Systems by Real-Walking

Tourism Informatics ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-818-5.ch011 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 180-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. Steinicke ◽

G. Bruder ◽

J. Jerald ◽

H. Frenz

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Virtual Environments ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

User Interfaces ◽

Large Scale ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Interaction Space ◽

Immersive Virtual Environments ◽

Redirected Walking ◽

Virtual City

In recent years virtual environments (VEs) have become more and more popular and widespread due to the requirements of numerous application areas in particular in the 3D city visualization domain. Virtual reality (VR) systems, which make use of tracking technologies and stereoscopic projections of three-dimensional synthetic worlds, support better exploration of complex datasets. However, due to the limited interaction space usually provided by the range of the tracking sensors, users can explore only a portion of the virtual environment (VE). Redirected walking allows users to walk through large-scale immersive virtual environments (IVEs) such as virtual city models, while physically remaining in a reasonably small workspace by intentionally injecting scene motion into the IVE. With redirected walking users are guided on physical paths that may differ from the paths they perceive in the virtual world. The authors have conducted experiments in order to quantify how much humans can unknowingly be redirected. In this chapter they present the results of this study and the implications for virtual locomotion user interfaces that allow users to view arbitrary real world locations, before the users actually travel there in a natural environment.

Download Full-text

A Three-Dimensional Environment of Personalized Recommendation of Learning Objects to Support Ubiquitous Learning

Blended Learning ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0783-3.ch003 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 48-73

Author(s):

Rodrigo Valença Cavalcante Frade ◽

Francisco Milton Mendes Neto ◽

Rafael Castro de Souza

Keyword(s):

Distance Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Learning Objects ◽

Learning Processes ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Personalized Recommendation ◽

Ubiquitous Learning

The advancement of technological resources has provided new possibilities in teaching and learning processes. This progress resulted in an improvement to the Distance Education (DE). However, this type of education still faces the serious problem of circumvention having as a major cause, lack of motivation among students. Thus, the use of new technological trends has been increasingly common with the purpose to provide greater attractiveness for student participation in distance learning courses. Thus, this study aims to propose a multiagent virtual environment in three dimensions to support the recommendation of learning objects in order to improve the teaching and learning processes in DE.

Download Full-text

Effects of the Design of Overview Maps on Three-Dimensional Virtual Environment Interfaces

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s20164605 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (16) ◽

pp. 4605

Author(s):

Chien-Hsiung Chen ◽

Meng-Xi Chen

Keyword(s):

Virtual Environment ◽

Spatial Perception ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Spatial Knowledge ◽

Screen Size ◽

Subjective Evaluations ◽

System Usability ◽

Better Than

This study examined how users acquire spatial knowledge in an onscreen three-dimensional virtual environment when using overview maps. This experiment adopted a three (the size of overview maps) x two (the transparency of overview maps) between-subjects design. Three levels of the size of overview maps were evaluated, i.e., 1/2, 1/8, and 1/16 screen size. Comparisons between 20% transparent and 80% transparent were made. We asked 108 participants to complete spatial perception tasks and fill out questionnaires regarding their feelings. The results indicate the following: (1) The effects of the transparency of overview maps on users’ spatial perception vary with the size of overview maps. The 80% transparent overview map is significantly more efficient than the 20% transparent overview map in the condition of 1/2 screen size. However, the result is opposite in the condition of 1/8 screen size. (2) Users like the 80% transparent overview map significantly better than the 20% transparent overview map in the condition of 1/2 screen size. (3) Concerning subjective evaluations of satisfaction, preference, and system usability, overview maps in the condition of 1/8 screen size are significantly better than those in the condition of 1/2 screen size.

Download Full-text

Urban Ecosystem Services (UES) Assessment within a 3D Virtual Environment: A Methodological Approach for the Larger Urban Zones (LUZ) of Naples, Italy

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10186205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

pp. 6205

Author(s):

Maria Cerreta ◽

Roberta Mele ◽

Giuliano Poli

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

Spatial Configuration ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Urban Ecosystem ◽

Data Availability ◽

Urban Structure ◽

Urban Ecosystem Services ◽

3D Virtual Environment

The complexity of the urban spatial configuration, which affects human wellbeing and landscape functioning, necessitates data acquisition and three-dimensional (3D) visualisation to support effective decision-making processes. One of the main challenges in sustainability research is to conceive spatial models adapting to changes in scale and recalibrate the related indicators, depending on scale and data availability. From this perspective, the inclusion of the third dimension in the Urban Ecosystem Services (UES) identification and assessment can enhance the detail in which urban structure–function relationships can be studied. Moreover, improving the modelling and visualisation of 3D UES indicators can aid decision-makers in localising, analysing, assessing, and managing urban development strategies. The main goal of the proposed framework is concerned with evaluating, planning, and monitoring UES within a 3D virtual environment, in order to improve the visualisation of spatial relationships among services and to support site-specific planning choices.

Download Full-text

Networked SPIDAR:A Networked Virtual Environment with Visual, Auditory, and Haptic Interactions

Presence Teleoperators & Virtual Environments ◽

10.1162/pres.1994.3.4.351 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 351-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Masahiro Ishii ◽

Masanori Nakata ◽

Makoto Sato

Keyword(s):

Virtual Environment ◽

Collaborative Design ◽

Collaborative Work ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Functional Space ◽

Object Space ◽

Multimodal Interactions ◽

Haptic Interactions ◽

Networked Virtual Environment ◽

Furniture Layout

This research aims at the realization of a networked virtual environment for the design of three-dimensional (3-D) objects. Based on an analysis of an ordinary collaborative design, we illustrate that a collaborative work space consists of a dialog space and an object space. In the dialog space, a participant interacts with partners, and in the object space with an object. The participants enter the dialog space and the object space in turn, appropriately. In addition, collaborative design of 3-D objects is carried out with multimodal interactions: visual, auditory, and haptic. A networked virtual environment must support these interactions without contradiction in either time or space. In this paper, we propose a networked virtual environment for a pair of participants to satisfy the conditions described above. To implement the networked system, we take into account the necessity of visual, auditory, and haptic interactions, the need for participants to switch between the dialog space and the object space quickly and appropriately, and human ergonomics on the functional space of hands and eyes. An experiment on hand-over task was done to investigate the effect of the networked haptic device with the proposed system. Object layout tasks, such as toy block layout, office furniture layout, city building layout, etc., can be performed by using this environment.

Download Full-text

DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL TRADITIONAL HOUSE FOR INTERACTIVE REAL-TIME NAVIGATION

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v75.5040 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Juliana A. Abu Bakar ◽

Chew Shiaujing ◽

Ooi Wooisim ◽

Pang Chongmeng ◽

Hafizatul H. Abdrahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Reconstruction ◽

Real Time ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

User Evaluation ◽

Design And Development ◽

Historical Information ◽

Visual Aesthetics ◽

Virtual Heritage ◽

Future Work

Virtual heritage is able to provide visual aesthetics, real-time navigation and interaction to impress and entertain users. This article describes the design and development of three dimensional (3D) virtual heritage to view and navigate the 3D representation of Malay traditional house which is rare to be found today. The Virtual Traditional House allows flexible exploration with real-time navigation in order for users to walkthrough the 3D reconstruction of the house while viewing relevant historical information at certain parts of the house. The process of design and development of Virtual Traditional House is outlined and points of particular importance are explained. The article discusses the preliminary results of user evaluation for Virtual Traditional House. Future work includes extensive user evaluation and to what extend user may absorb the historical information surfaced around the virtual environment.

Download Full-text