Demonstration of a Virtual Reality Driving Simulation Platform

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (9) ◽  
pp. 39-1-39-7
Author(s):  
Mingming Wang ◽  
Anjali Jogeshwar ◽  
Gabriel J. Diaz ◽  
Jeff B. Pelz ◽  
Susan Farnand
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Driving Simulation ◽  
Simulation Platform ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Driving Experience ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
3D Engine ◽  
Lane Position

A virtual reality (VR) driving simulation platform has been built for use in addressing multiple research interests. This platform is a VR 3D engine (Unity © ) that provides an immersive driving experience viewed in an HTC Vive © head-mounted display (HMD). To test this platform, we designed a virtual driving scenario based on a real tunnel used by Törnros to perform onroad tests [1] . Data from the platform, including driving speed and lateral lane position, was compared the published on-road tests. The correspondence between the driving simulation and onroad tests is assessed to demonstrate the ability of our platform as a research tool. In addition, the drivers’ eye movement data, such as 3D gaze point of regard (POR), will be collected during the test with an Tobii © eye-tracker integrated in the HMD. The data set will be analyzed offline and examined for correlations with driving behaviors in future study.

scholarly journals Presence Effects in Virtual Reality Based on User Characteristics: Attention, Enjoyment, and Memory

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1051
Author(s):  
Si Jung Kim ◽  
Teemu H. Laine ◽  
Hae Jung Suk
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Different Levels

Presence refers to the emotional state of users where their motivation for thinking and acting arises based on the perception of the entities in a virtual world. The immersion level of users can vary when they interact with different media content, which may result in different levels of presence especially in a virtual reality (VR) environment. This study investigates how user characteristics, such as gender, immersion level, and emotional valence on VR, are related to the three elements of presence effects (attention, enjoyment, and memory). A VR story was created and used as an immersive stimulus in an experiment, which was presented through a head-mounted display (HMD) equipped with an eye tracker that collected the participants’ eye gaze data during the experiment. A total of 53 university students (26 females, 27 males), with an age range from 20 to 29 years old (mean 23.8), participated in the experiment. A set of pre- and post-questionnaires were used as a subjective measure to support the evidence of relationships among the presence effects and user characteristics. The results showed that user characteristics, such as gender, immersion level, and emotional valence, affected their level of presence, however, there is no evidence that attention is associated with enjoyment or memory.

scholarly journals Simulation System of Electric-Powered Wheelchairs for Training Purposes

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 3565
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Hernandez-Ossa ◽  
Eduardo H. Montenegro-Couto ◽  
Berthil Longo ◽  
Alexandre Bissoli ◽  
Mariana M. Sime ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Input Interface ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Following Error

For some people with severe physical disabilities, the main assistive device to improve their independence and to enhance overall well-being is an electric-powered wheelchair (EPW). However, there is a necessity to offer users EPW training. In this work, the Simcadrom is introduced, which is a virtual reality simulator for EPW driving learning purposes, testing of driving skills and performance, and testing of input interfaces. This simulator uses a joystick as the main input interface, and a virtual reality head-mounted display. However, it can also be used with an eye-tracker device as an alternative input interface and a projector to display the virtual environment (VE). Sense of presence, and user experience questionnaires were implemented to evaluate this version of the Simcadrom in addition to some statistical tests for performance parameters like: total elapsed time, path following error, and total number of commands. A test protocol was proposed and, considering the overall results, the system proved to simulate, very realistically, the usability, kinematics, and dynamics of a real EPW in a VE. Most subjects were able to improve their EPW driving performance in the training session. Furthermore, all skills learned are feasible to be transferred to a real EPW.

scholarly journals Game play in virtual reality driving simulation involving head-mounted display and comparison to desktop display

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Cao ◽  
Krithika Nandakumar ◽  
Raiju Babu ◽  
Benjamin Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Driving Simulation ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Head Mounted Display

scholarly journals Eye-tracking for low vision with virtual reality (VR): testing status quo usability of the HTC Vive Pro Eye

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Sipatchin ◽  
Siegfried Wahl ◽  
Katharina Rifai
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Visual Field ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Target Position ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Raspberry Pi ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundAdding an eye tracker inside a head-mounted display (HMD) can offer a variety of novel functions in virtual reality (VR). Promising results point towards its usability as a flexible and interactive tool for low vision assessments and research of low vision functional impairment. Visual field (VF) perimetry performed using VR methodologies evidenced a correlation between the reliability of visual field testing in VR and the Humphrey test. The simulation of visual loss in VR is a powerful method used to investigate the impact and the adaptation to visual diseases. The present study presents a preliminary assessment of the HTC Vive Pro Eye for its potential use for these applications.MethodsWe investigated data quality over a wide visual field and tested the effect of head motion. An objective direct end-to-end temporal precision test simulated two different scenarios: the appearance of a pupil inside the eye tracker and a shift in pupil position, known as artificial saccade generator. The technique is low-cost thanks to a Raspberry Pi system and automatic.ResultsThe target position on the screen and the head movement limit the HTC Vive Pro Eye’s usability. All the simulated scenarios showed a system’s latency of 58.1 milliseconds (ms).ConclusionThese results point towards limitations and improvements of the HTC Vive Pro Eye’s status quo for visual loss simulation scenarios and visual perimetry testing.

scholarly journals Physically Based Soap Bubble Synthesis for VR

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3090
Author(s):  
Sangwook Yoo ◽  
Cheongho Lee ◽  
Seongah Chin
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Soap Bubble ◽  
Temporal Constraints ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Soap Bubbles ◽  
Physical Motion ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Interesting Topic ◽  
Physically Based

To experience a real soap bubble show, materials and tools are required, as are skilled performers who produce the show. However, in a virtual space where spatial and temporal constraints do not exist, bubble art can be performed without real materials and tools to give a sense of immersion. For this, the realistic expression of soap bubbles is an interesting topic for virtual reality (VR). However, the current performance of VR soap bubbles is not satisfying the high expectations of users. Therefore, in this study, we propose a physically based approach for reproducing the shape of the bubble by calculating the measured parameters required for bubble modeling and the physical motion of bubbles. In addition, we applied the change in the flow of the surface of the soap bubble measured in practice to the VR rendering. To improve users’ VR experience, we propose that they should experience a bubble show in a VR HMD (Head Mounted Display) environment.

scholarly journals Gamification and Hazard Communication in Virtual Reality: A Qualitative Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4663
Author(s):  
Janaina Cavalcanti ◽  
Victor Valls ◽  
Manuel Contero ◽  
David Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Hazard Communication ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Compliance Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

An effective warning attracts attention, elicits knowledge, and enables compliance behavior. Game mechanics, which are directly linked to human desires, stand out as training, evaluation, and improvement tools. Immersive virtual reality (VR) facilitates training without risk to participants, evaluates the impact of an incorrect action/decision, and creates a smart training environment. The present study analyzes the user experience in a gamified virtual environment of risks using the HTC Vive head-mounted display. The game was developed in the Unreal game engine and consisted of a walk-through maze composed of evident dangers and different signaling variables while user action data were recorded. To demonstrate which aspects provide better interaction, experience, perception and memory, three different warning configurations (dynamic, static and smart) and two different levels of danger (low and high) were presented. To properly assess the impact of the experience, we conducted a survey about personality and knowledge before and after using the game. We proceeded with the qualitative approach by using questions in a bipolar laddering assessment that was compared with the recorded data during the game. The findings indicate that when users are engaged in VR, they tend to test the consequences of their actions rather than maintaining safety. The results also reveal that textual signal variables are not accessed when users are faced with the stress factor of time. Progress is needed in implementing new technologies for warnings and advance notifications to improve the evaluation of human behavior in virtual environments of high-risk surroundings.

scholarly journals Assessment of Wheelchair Propulsion Performance in an Immersive Virtual Reality Simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8016
Author(s):  
Yu-Sheng Yang ◽  
Alicia M. Koontz ◽  
Yu-Hsuan Hsiao ◽  
Cheng-Tang Pan ◽  
Jyh-Jong Chang
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Wheelchair Propulsion ◽  
Subjective Data ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Propulsion Performance

Maneuvering a wheelchair is an important necessity for the everyday life and social activities of people with a range of physical disabilities. However, in real life, wheelchair users face several common challenges: articulate steering, spatial relationships, and negotiating obstacles. Therefore, our research group has developed a head-mounted display (HMD)-based intuitive virtual reality (VR) stimulator for wheelchair propulsion. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of this VR stimulator for wheelchair propulsion performance. Twenty manual wheelchair users (16 men and 4 women) with spinal cord injuries ranging from T8 to L2 participated in this study. The differences in wheelchair propulsion kinematics between immersive and non-immersive VR environments were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system. Subjective data of the HMD-based intuitive VR stimulator were collected with a Presence Questionnaire and individual semi-structured interview at the end of the trial. Results indicated that propulsion performance was very similar in terms of start angle (p = 0.34), end angle (p = 0.46), stroke angle (p = 0.76), and shoulder movement (p = 0.66) between immersive and non-immersive VR environments. In the VR episode featuring an uphill journey, an increase in propulsion speed (p < 0.01) and cadence (p < 0.01) were found, as well as a greater trunk forward inclination (p = 0.01). Qualitative interviews showed that this VR simulator made an attractive, novel impression and therefore demonstrated the potential as a tool for stimulating training motivation. This HMD-based intuitive VR stimulator can be an effective resource to enhance wheelchair maneuverability experiences.

scholarly journals Immersive virtual reality health games: a narrative review of game design

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Tao ◽  
Bernie Garrett ◽  
Tarnia Taverner ◽  
Elliott Cordingley ◽  
Crystal Sun
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Sufficient Detail

Abstract Background High quality head-mounted display based virtual reality (HMD-VR) has become widely available, spurring greater development of HMD-VR health games. As a behavior change approach, these applications use HMD-VR and game-based formats to support long-term engagement with therapeutic interventions. While the bulk of research to date has primarily focused on the therapeutic efficacy of particular HMD-VR health games, how developers and researchers incorporate best-practices in game design to achieve engaging experiences remains underexplored. This paper presents the findings of a narrative review exploring the trends and future directions of game design for HMD-VR health games. Methods We searched the literature on the intersection between HMD-VR, games, and health in databases including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Compendex. We identified articles describing HMD-VR games designed specifically as health applications from 2015 onwards in English. HMD-VR health games were charted and tabulated according to technology, health context, outcomes, and user engagement in game design. Findings We identified 29 HMD-VR health games from 2015 to 2020, with the majority addressing health contexts related to physical exercise, motor rehabilitation, and pain. These games typically involved obstacle-based challenges and extrinsic reward systems to engage clients in interventions related to physical functioning and pain. Less common were games emphasizing narrative experiences and non-physical exercise interventions. However, discourse regarding game design was diverse and often lacked sufficient detail. Game experience was evaluated using primarily ad-hoc questionnaires. User engagement in the development of HMD-VR health games primarily manifested as user studies. Conclusion HMD-VR health games are promising tools for engaging clients in highly immersive experiences designed to address diverse health contexts. However, more in-depth and structured attention to how HMD-VR health games are designed as game experiences is needed. Future development of HMD-VR health games may also benefit from greater involvement of end-users in participatory approaches.

scholarly journals Low-Asymmetry Interface for Multiuser VR Experiences with Both HMD and Non-HMD Users

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
Qimeng Zhang ◽  
Ji-Su Ban ◽  
Mingyu Kim ◽  
Hae Won Byun ◽  
Chang-Hun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
User Study ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
And Behavior

We propose a low-asymmetry interface to improve the presence of non-head-mounted-display (non-HMD) users in shared virtual reality (VR) experiences with HMD users. The low-asymmetry interface ensures that the HMD and non-HMD users’ perception of the VR environment is almost similar. That is, the point-of-view asymmetry and behavior asymmetry between HMD and non-HMD users are reduced. Our system comprises a portable mobile device as a visual display to provide a changing PoV for the non-HMD user and a walking simulator as an in-place walking detection sensor to enable the same level of realistic and unrestricted physical-walking-based locomotion for all users. Because this allows non-HMD users to experience the same level of visualization and free movement as HMD users, both of them can engage as the main actors in movement scenarios. Our user study revealed that the low-asymmetry interface enables non-HMD users to feel a presence similar to that of the HMD users when performing equivalent locomotion tasks in a virtual environment. Furthermore, our system can enable one HMD user and multiple non-HMD users to participate together in a virtual world; moreover, our experiments show that the non-HMD user satisfaction increases with the number of non-HMD participants owing to increased presence and enjoyment.

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