Human-Computer Interaction Experiments in an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment for e-Learning Applications
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publisher
University of Adelaide
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Engineering
RAS ID
9693
Abstract
The present work concerns a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) experiment in an Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) environment. The user is located at the focal point of a four metre hemispherical dome projection screen. By combining a 5DT data glove with an iPhone 3G, the user can directly interact with a computer program/client. The visualisation is implemented with the Unity 3D 2.5 multiplatform game development tool. The client communicates with a .NET socket server allowing continuous data streaming from connected sensors, i.e., finger flexures, hand gestures (from the data glove) and orientation data (from the iPhone’s accelerometer sensors). The main goal of the experiment is to evaluate interactive techniques for users who are training in an IVR environment. An IVR application is demonstrated to highlight the value of the proposed method in an intuitive e-learning experience associated with the teleoperation of underground coal mining equipment.
Comments
Bednarz, T.P., Caris, C. & Dranga, O. (2010). Human-Computer Interaction Experiments in an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment for e-Learning Applications. Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference for the Australasian Association for Engineering Education. (pp. 834-839). Adelaide, Australia. University of Adelaide. Conference website available here.