Framework for Immersive Virtual Environments

Description

Project Title:
Framework for Immersive Virtual Environments
Acronym:
FIVE
Number:
9122
Work Area:
Foundations of visualisation and multi-modal interfaces
Coordinator:
Queen Mary & Westfield College
University of London
Computer Science
Mile End Road
UK - LONDON E1 4NS
Coordinator Country:
UK
Participants
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology CH
University of Geneva CH
Ruhr Universität Bochum D
FHG-IPA D
Scuola Superior S. Anna I
Division UK
University of Bristol UK
Contact Point:
Melvyn Slater
Telephone:
+44/71 975 5242
Fax:
+44/71 975 5500
E-Mail:
Keywords:
virtual environments
Start Date:
to be announced
Duration:
months
Status:
starting
Abstract:
An immersive virtual environment (IVE) system, popularly called virtual reality, provides a tightly coupled human-computer interface: input to the sensory organs of the human participant are directly generated through computer displays, in the visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic modalities. Movements of the human operator are tracked, relayed to the computer systems, and generated by the computer displays. The broad aim of the working group is knowledge-integration around the theme of a general framework for IVEs and their applications.

AIMS

The broad aim of the working group is knowledge-integration around the theme of a general framework for IVEs and their applications. The aim is therefore to study a number of domains at the foundation. These include:
- the software system at the core of IVEs, including issues such as the need to reduce latency
- the functionality and integration of the various display modalities - visual, auditory and tactile/kinesthetic - at the psychological, algorithmic and systems level
- the tracking technology, including the possible uses of biofeedback devices, and the problems of force feedback displays
- the modelling of the virtual body both for human participants and virtual actors. The evaluation of such environments from the task performance point of view, and the extent to which such environments generate a sense of presence are crucial issues concerning the utility of IVEs in real applications.

ACTIVITIES

The Group's expertise includes visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic displays and corresponding knowledge of perception and psychology, neuro-science, computer science, parallel and concurrent systems, interactive computer graphics and virtual reality. Through the topic based and general workshops of the Group, the expertise of the partners with different specialities can be synthesised into a genuine scientific understanding and practical advancement of this field. The Group will have frequent problem based meetings of the entire project team to study specific issues. For example, the central problem of presence can benefit from the joint efforts of people in the range of disciplines represented in this project.

POTENTIAL

Virtual reality offers the promise of a wide variety of applications, ranging from walkthrough simulations, data visualisation, entertainment, design and training, including medicine; consequently these possibilities have generated a great deal of public interest. However, the promise, so far has been rather greater than genuine results, with the corresponding danger of eventual disillusionment. There are several difficult problems with virtual reality technology, including the lack of understanding of what is required to immerse people in the worlds created by these systems, and what happens when people are immersed in these worlds. Through developing such understanding, based on practical experience of the existing and projected research of the group, a new focus can emerge to lay the foundation for successful development and application of the technology within Europe.

Sven Müßig, last update 07-nov-1995. Your feedback is welcome.