Brandon Lambert

Overview
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
Classifications of VR
Brief History
Immersive VR Environments
Software and Challenges
Applications

Definition
A computer generated simulation that enables people
to interact with visual and sensory three-dimensional
objects or environments through the use of computer
modeling
Types of Virtual Reality
Desktop VR
Used by most people every day
Immersive VR
Used in industry mainly
Expensive
Desktop VR
Everyday computers, laptops, phones
Gaming consoles
Non-immersive environments
Common Associated Inputs:
Computer mice, keyboards, and game controllers
Immersive VR
Classical Depiction
Complex system of software
and hardware
Realistic Experience
User immersion in
environment
Easily amount to hundreds of
thousands of dollars
Ivan Sutherland
BS: EE, PH.D EECS
Ultimate Display (1965)
First concepts of VR
system
Pioneer in Computer
Graphics, 3D modeling,
and VR
Tron
First movie to heavily rely
on computer generated
graphics (CGI)
Opened doors for the use of
CGI in entertainment
industry
Data Glove
Dr. G. Grimes, of Bell Labs
Patented 1983
Used for measuring of hand positions using sensors on
the wrist and joints.
Initially thought glove would replace the keyboard
Expensive
Virtual Reality Modeling
Language(VRML)
Released by Silicon
Graphics in 1995
Designed to be standard
modeling language for
interactive simulations
on the web
VRML 2.0 is used today
on IE, Firefox, and
Chrome for viewing
world (.wrl) files
Immersive VR Environments
Cave Automatic Virtual Environments (CAVE)
Projectors
Head Mounted Display Environments (HMD)
HMDs
CAVE
Uses projectors to display the virtual objects and
environment on the walls, ceiling, and floor of the VR
volume
Users wear 3D glasses
To increase resolution, multiple cameras can be used
on each wall of the VR volume
CAVE System Software
Input
Devices
Motion
Capture
Display
Projectors
Data
Acquisition
Modeling &
Simulation
Projectors
Walls &
Screens
Glasses
Controllers
Motion
Tracking
CAN
Devices
Other
HMD VR Environments
Uses HMD devices to display the virtual environment
and objects to the user
Field of view is limited by screens on HMD
Peripherals
HMD System Software
Input
Devices
Motion
Capture
Display
HMD
Data
Acquisition
Modeling &
Simulation
Projectors
or Monitors
Screen
HMD(s)
Controllers
Motion
Tracking
CAN
Devices
Other
Motion Capture Systems
Optical
Cameras
Magnetic
Sensors
Electro mechanical
Sensor suits

Optical Motion Capture
Uses cameras to track
markers in a tracking
volume
Tracking data is
streamed into VR system
Vicon Bonita
Optical System
Magnetic Motion Capture
Uses magnetic sensors to
gather data
Metal can interfere with
the sensor readings
Electro mechanical Motion Capture
Uses a suit of sensors to
track the wearers motion
High portability
Some designs are motion
restricting
Vicon Bonita Optical
Optical Motion capture system
Power over Ethernet to facilitate data streaming
Easy setup and teardown
Vicon DataStream SDK 1.2 and Virtual Vicon System
1.2
Tracking
The Vicon optical system tracks objects in the
environment with the use of reflective markers
The cameras use infrared light, which reflects off the
markers.
User range of motion is limited by tracking volume
Other reflective objects may be picked up by the
cameras, but this is handled by using masks during
calibration
Vicon Tracker
Latency Graph
Using Vicon Tracker
Addition of new tracked objects is easy
Place markers on new object
Save the marker configuration in Vicon Tracker
SDK can be used to access the data stream for custom
application development
Simulation Software
Vega Prime
Vortex
Jack and Process Simulate (Jack)
Vega Prime
Produced by Presagis
Used to produce real-time 3D simulation applications
Platform Independent
Lynx Interface is provided for making real-time
changes to the simulation
Available Application Programming Interface (API)

Vortex
Physics Package for Vega Prime Simulations
Allows for physically accurate machine simulations
Package is integrated with Lynx Interface
Jack
Produced by Siemens
Used to visually analyze workspace environments to
improve:
Ergonomics
Safety
Efficiency
Integrated Python and TCL languages
Custom modules
Built-in Python console
320D Current Production
Software Challenges
VR requires a wide range of skills from software
developers
Coordinate Systems
Motion capture versus Simulation
Modeling?
Input
Adding new devices
CAN Devices
Motion bases
Other Software (MATLAB, Custom Applications)
Custom Program Solutions
Linkage Configurator Example
Defines coordinates for pivot points on a vehicle or
machine
Maps model files to linkage in Jack

Industry Applications
Manufacturing and Product Development
Education and Training
Healthcare Industry
Pain
Therapy
Entertainment
Gaming
Movies
Manufacturing Product Design
Companies such as John Deere, BMW, and Ford use
VR in their product design
Reduced cost
Fewer physical prototypes
Faster concept analyzing
More evaluations
Fewer defects
Used to check ISO visibility standards
Education and Training
Simulations for operator training
Operator can make mistakes in VR
Use real controls
Helps demonstrate proper methods
Assembly technique
Repairs
Maintenance
Allows anyone to familiarize themselves with
machines in the field
Healthcare
VR has been found to reduce the pain patients endure
during treatments
Used magnetic resonance to watch brain activities
during treatment with and without VR
SnowWorld - commonly used for burn victims
SnowWorld
VR Therapy
Used to treat patients with fear of heights, spiders.
SpiderWorld
Also can be used to treat addictions, anxiety, post
traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and other
conditions
SpiderWorld
VR for PTSD
VR Therapy has been reported to reduce PTSD in
soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
significantly for 62% of those undergoing treatment
9/11
2012, NBC - article about a returning soldier using VR
Therapy
Entertainment
Movie production
Animated films
CGI
Gaming
Animations
PlayStation Move
Xbox Kinect
Wii

Conclusion
VR is used in applications across a broad spectrum of
industries and is becoming increasingly better with
new technologies
Software developers will need a wide range of skills to
meet the ever evolving demands of VR environments

References
Lambert, B. (2012). Virtual reality.
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References Continued
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