Interactive Realities Lab

Overview:

The Institute for Simulation & Training (IST) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) has been investigating the benefit of incorporating haptic technologies into immersive virtual simulations within its Interactive Realities Laboratory. Current virtual simulations primarily immerse the participant visually while engaging the other senses in a limited fashion. In order for these simulations to become more effective, they must become more realistic. Fully realistic simulations require live participants to feel the virtual environment as well as see it and hear it.

Accomplishments:

We have created several Virtual Environment Stimulus Tool (VEST) systems, which gives the user a sense of being touched, wounded, or cueing stimulus. We have incorporated small cell phones vibrator motors because they are inexpensive and readily available. We have also used Engineering Acoustics, Inc (EAI) C2 tactor, which were originally developed for the Tactile Situation Awareness System (TSAS) project. A sleeveless drysuit was used for mounting the tactors because of its lightweight, durability, comfort, form fitting design and ability to muffle vibrator noises. For placement of tactors on the arms and legs, we use stretchy Velcro bands. Both of these tactors yield an impressive range of sensations, which we call haptic signatures. These haptics signatures are different for each type of the haptic feedback we are providing the user. Remarks made by several participants after using the VEST were that the stimulation was a significant enhancement to their VR experience.

We have also developed a haptics wounded soldier feedback system. This allows the user to feel the wounded soldier’s pulse, including counting the individual pulses which provide a pulse strength of strong or faint. It also allows the user to check the wounded soldier breath, to verify that they are still breathing, this includes the regularity of their breath. Finally, they will be able to check the wounded soldier temperature, which can vary from ambient, normal, to fever. The heaters for temperature sensation can also be used for feeling heat behind a door from a fire or feeling heat from a nearby explosion.

All of our haptic devices are integrated into the IST Virtual Environment Software Sandbox or VESS and our Virtual Environment (VE) testbed. These devices give participants in an immersive virtual simulation the capability to interact with the environment more fully and to communicate more effectively with team members.