Perceiving and Enacting Risky Events in Simulated Environments

http://csrc.tamu-commerce.edu/projs/vrtrain
Dr. Derek Harter , Dr Shulan Lu, Dr. Tracy Henley
Pratyush Kotturu, Sandeep Kotha , Shilpa Guduru

Abstract :
Virtual environment provide a cost effective method for training people in
serious tasks, and sometimes provide the only means of training for life-threatening Methodology :
work. We designed a virtual reality environment
using Blender open source platform, and
The ability to track spatio-temporal activity and detect threatening events are crucial used sensory input and multi-object tracking
to performance. from Nintendo WiiMotes to provide low-cost
We are designing environments to explore the differences in spatio-temporal event immersion.  To understand enactive actions
perception between the real world and simulated environments, and how such in this world, we constructed three
differences effect the quality of training. dimensional familiar everyday environments.

Everyday environments, such as a kitchen, provide familiar task simulations (such as  We used the Python scripting language to
cutting and chopping) that can have small risks or danger associated with them. interface typical game engine interactions
with the WiiMote tracking and localization.
 By varying the levels of
immersion and the fidelity of the displayed
environment, we will explore how these
differences might effect the perception of
events, and change the levels and types of
risks people are willing to engage in the
simulated environments.

Acknowledgements:

TOOLS :
Discussion :
python We made an avatar move about in kitchen
environment and pick up an object as directed by wii mote.
Avatar is able to enact small human actions like cutting and
Wii mote chopping vegetables as directed by wii mote.
The extension of this would be to take input for avatar
Blender Game Engine movements from user through glasses(with an LED at each
Bluetooth end) rather than wiimote.