scholarly journals Human Factors Research in Immersive Virtual Reality Firefighter Training: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G Wheeler ◽  
Hendrik Engelbrecht ◽  
Simon Hoermann

Immersive virtual reality (VR) shows a lot of potential for the training of professionals in the emergency response domain. Firefighters occupy a unique position among emergency personnel as the threats they encounter are mainly environmental. Immersive VR therefore represents a great opportunity to be utilized for firefighter training. This systematic review summarizes the existing literature of VR firefighting training that has a specific focus on human factors and learning outcomes, as opposed to literature that solely covers the system, or simulation, with little consideration given to its user. An extensive literature search followed by rigorous filtering of publications with narrowly defined criteria was performed to aggregate results from methodologically sound user studies. The included studies provide evidence that suggests the suitability of VR firefighter training, especially in search and rescue and commander training scenarios. Although the overall number of publications is small, the viability of VR as an ecologically valid analog to real-life training is promising. In the future, more work is needed to establish clear evidence and guidelines to optimize the effectiveness of VR training and to increase reliable data through appropriate research endeavors.

IEEE Access ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 48952-48962
Author(s):  
Bruno Peixoto ◽  
Rafael Pinto ◽  
Miguel Melo ◽  
Luciana Cabral ◽  
Maximino Bessa

Languages ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Legault ◽  
Jiayan Zhao ◽  
Ying-An Chi ◽  
Weitao Chen ◽  
Alexander Klippel ◽  
...  

Learning a second language (L2) presents a significant challenge to many people in adulthood. Platforms for effective L2 instruction have been developed in both academia and the industry. While real-life (RL) immersion is often lauded as a particularly effective L2 learning platform, little is known about the features of immersive contexts that contribute to the L2 learning process. Immersive virtual reality (iVR) offers a flexible platform to simulate an RL immersive learning situation, while allowing the researcher to have tight experimental control for stimulus delivery and learner interaction with the environment. Using a mixed counterbalanced design, the current study examines individual differences in L2 performance during learning of 60 Mandarin Chinese words across two learning sessions, with each participant learning 30 words in iVR and 30 words via word–word (WW) paired association. Behavioral performance was collected immediately after L2 learning via an alternative forced-choice recognition task. Our results indicate a main effect of L2 learning context, such that accuracy on trials learned via iVR was significantly higher as compared to trials learned in the WW condition. These effects are reflected especially in the differential effects of learning contexts, in that less successful learners show a significant benefit of iVR instruction as compared to WW, whereas successful learners do not show a significant benefit of either learning condition. Our findings have broad implications for L2 education, particularly for those who struggle in learning an L2.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 9-28
Author(s):  
Jacek Polechoński ◽  
Rajmund Tomik

Purpose. The study attempts to define virtual reality in tourism as well as to characterise and present chosen applications created for the purposes of virtual sightseeing. Based on the survey conducted among tourism and recreation students of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, the study attempts to answer the provocative question: “can virtual tourism replace real-world travel?”, and to analyse participants’ opinions on the topic of virtual trips. Methods. Analysis of scientific studies as well as information and data on the possibility of using immersive virtual reality in human life with particular consideration given to tourism. An overview of applications enabling taking trips through immersive exploration of virtual environments. The survey was conducted among AWF students. Participants expressed their opinions about virtual sightseeing. Findings. Virtual reality is increasingly used in various fields of human life. It is entering the world of tourism, in which it is used to create presentations of hotels and resorts, and to promote towns and tourist facilities. Appropriate software and IT equipment allow to take deliberate, planned and very realistic virtual trips. The authors of the work defined such tourism as all activities carried out by persons who immerse themselves in virtual reality for learning and entertainment purposes in order to experience the illusion of change of their everyday, real surroundings in time and space. Tourism understood in such a way allows us not only to go to almost any place without the necessity of leaving home. It also allows for visiting areas and objects which cannot be explored in real life. It enables a visitor, among others, to travel in space and visit historical sites which no longer exist in their original form, but have been recreated in computer applications. Virtual tourism also allows for exploring fictional locations created by designers of photorealistic graphics as well as valuable and sensitive monuments, and taking trips to places which are dangerous or prohibited. In the conducted survey, it has been concluded that even though tourism and recreation students found experience with virtual reality to be positive, the majority is not convinced that this form of tourism can replace real-world travel. Research and conclusions limitations. There are only a few publications concerning immersive virtual reality travel experience. Access to the software was quite early. Practical implications. Understanding and reorganisation of issues related to immersive virtual reality travel experience. The study may constitute an original introduction and encouragement to carry out qualitative and quantitative research on newly created virtual tourism. Originality. An original concept of understanding virtual tourism was presented. Type of paper. Empirical research and review.


2021 ◽  
Vol 268 ◽  
pp. 40-58
Author(s):  
Randi Q. Mao ◽  
Lucy Lan ◽  
Jeffrey Kay ◽  
Ryan Lohre ◽  
Olufemi R. Ayeni ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 21-45
Author(s):  
Reginaldo Schiavini ◽  
Heli Meurer

The objective of this study was to use virtual reality as a validation method of a new multimodal warning for use in situations of risk and danger. This warning is intended to be more efficient than the static warnings as regards their ability to convey clear, objective information and securely. The virtual environment used was developed with immersive virtual reality simulating a risk and danger to the user. This virtual environment allows situations are simulated in real life would be impossible for putting at risk the lives of people. For the warning efficiency were evaluated, we used two warnings, static and multimodal, which consisted of harmonization between the ISO and ANSI standards. As innovation factor used was the explanation of the consequences of non-compliance. Multimodal elements used in the notice were a file with a recorded human voice and a flashing red light. These results demonstrated that the virtual environment used, and the multimodal warning were efficient in their goals. The results of the variables used were positive and the hypotheses was validated with the use of statistical tests.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-319
Author(s):  
Da Young Lim ◽  
Dong Min Hwang ◽  
Kang Hee Cho ◽  
Chang Won Moon ◽  
So Young Ahn

Objective To determine whether a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) intervention combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) can improve upper limb function more than CR alone in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), we conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.Methods Participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG; n=10) or experimental group (EG; n=10). The participants in the CG received 60 minutes of conventional therapy per day, 4 days per week for 4 weeks, whereas those in the EG received 30 minutes of VR training and 30 minutes of conventional therapy per day, 4 days per week for 4 weeks. The clinical outcome measures included Medical Research Council grade, the American Spinal Injury Association upper extremity motor score (ASIA-UEMS), and scores in the Hand Strength Test, Box and Block Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Action Research Arm Test, and Korean version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (K-SCIM). The assessments were performed at the beginning (T0) and end of the intervention (T1).Results Grip power and K-SCIM score significantly improved in the EG after the intervention. When comparing differences between the groups, elbow extensor, wrist extensor, ASIA-UEMS, grip power, lateral pinch power, and palmar pinch power were all significantly improved.Conclusion VR training of upper limb function after SCI can provide an acceptable adjunctive rehabilitation method without significant adverse effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Paatela-Nieminen

This article explores digital material/ism by examining student teachers’ experiences, processes and products with fully immersive virtual reality (VR) as part of visual art education. The students created and painted a virtual world, given the name Gretan puutarha (‘Greta’s Garden’), using the Google application Tilt Brush. They also applied photogrammetry techniques to scan 3D objects from the real world in order to create 3D models for their VR world. Additionally, they imported 2D photographs and drawings along with applied animated effects to construct their VR world digitally, thereby remixing elements from real life and fantasy. The students were asked open-ended questions to find out how they created art virtually and the results were analysed using Burdea’s VR concepts of immersion, interaction and imagination. Digital material was created intersubjectively and intermedially while it was also remixed with real and imaginary. Various webs of meanings were created, both intertextual and rhizomatic in nature.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Healy ◽  
Aisling Flynn ◽  
Owen Conlan ◽  
Jenny McSharry ◽  
Jane Walsh

BACKGROUND Immersive virtual reality (IVR) can be defined as fully computer-generated environments that are displayed through a head-mounted display. Existing research suggests that key features of IVR can assist older adults in their everyday lives–providing opportunities in health promotion and tackling social isolation and loneliness. There has been a surge in the number of qualitative studies exploring older adults’ experiences and perceptions of IVR. However, there has been no systematic synthesis of these studies to inform the design of new, more accessible IVR technologies. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to systematically review and synthesize qualitative studies exploring older adults’ experiences and perceptions of IVR. METHODS A systematic review and thematic synthesis was conducted following the ENTREQ guidelines. Two reviewers completed title and abstract screening, full-text screening, data extraction and quality appraisal. Thematic synthesis is derived from the qualitative method, thematic analysis. It involves three key steps: initial coding and grouping of these codes, the formation of descriptive themes from these codes and finally, going beyond the data to form novel insights and theories known as analytical themes. Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach. RESULTS Thirteen studies were included in the final synthesis, consisting of 224 participants ranging across nine countries and five continents. Confidence in the evidence ranged from high to moderate. Four descriptive themes were generated: (1) facilitating IVR interactions, (2) experiencing unique features of IVR, (3) perceptions of IVR and (4) accounts of agency in IVR. The findings from the descriptive themes suggested that there are several improvements that need to be made to existing IVR devices to greater facilitate older adults’ use of this technology. However, despite this, older adults’ responses to IVR were generally positive. Three analytical themes were then generated: (1) tolerating the bad to experience the good, (2) buying in to IVR: don’t judge a book by its cover and (3) “it proves to me I can do it”. The analytical themes illustrated that older adults were willing to tolerate discomforts that accompany existing IVR technologies to experience features such as immersive social networking experiences, there was a discrepancy between older adults’ perceptions of IVR prior to use–which were generally negative–and after use–which were generally positive–and, IVR provided a platform for older adults to access certain activities and environments more easily than in the real world due to limitations caused by ageing. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the need to overcome initial negative views of IVR and perceived barriers to use by emphasizing the unique ability of IVR to increase older adults’ agency through features such as presence, immersion, and embodiment, which in turn offer new opportunities to take part in meaningful activities tailored to their needs and preferences. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1177%2F16094069211009682


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