Showing papers on "Augmented virtuality published in 2013"

Design and development of SAVES: A construction safety training augmented virtuality environment for hazard recognition and severity identification

Abstract: One of the most challenging aspects of safety for construction sites is ensuring that workers can predict, identify, and respond to potential hazardous conditions before they are exposed. From a scientific standpoint, we currently lack the knowledge of discovering the most efficient training styles for safety and also understanding why and how these styles of training can influence the post-training activities. To address these needs, a System for Augmented Virtuality Environment Safety (SAVES) is designed and presented in this paper. SAVES which integrates a BIM with 2D images on a jobsite, allows trainees to conduct a set of interactions with SAVES and accomplish multiple instruction-based and task-based training modules. These modules include detection of ten types of hazard and/or energy sources at three levels of severity. The complete process of design, development and implementation of SAVES is demonstrated and the lessons learned are discussed in detail.

SAVES: a safety training augmented virtuality environment for construction hazard recognition and severity identification

Abstract: One of the most challenging aspects of health and safety (H&S) management for construction sites is ensuring that workers can predict, identify, and respond to potential hazardous conditions before they are exposed. While OSHA addresses the need for enforcement of comprehensive H&S training programs, many safety training programs still do not include hazard recognition or systematic preparations for the avoidance of unsafe conditions. From a scientific standpoint, we currently lack the knowledge of discovering the most efficient training styles for safety and also understanding why and how these styles of training can influence the post-training activities. To address these needs, an Augmented Virtuality(AV) training environment named System for Augmented Virtuality Environment Safety (SAVES) was designed and is presented in this paper. SAVES which integrates a Building Information Model (BIM) with photographs of typical energy sources on a jobsite, allows trainees to control and navigate an avatar within such AV environment. Within the AV environment, the user can conduct a set of interactions with the environment and accomplish multiple instruction and task-based training scenarios. These scenarios include detection of ten types of hazard and/or energy sources at three levels of severity. The energy sources which in SAVES are embedded in forms of 3D elements and 2D imagery are designed to elevate the safety awareness of the users, enable them to predict and identify various types of hazards, and assess their level of severity. To fully document the experience of the users, during each exercise, trainees’ choices, time for decision-making and corresponding prevention plan are documented in the system. The complete process of design, development, implementation and results analysis of SAVES is presented.

Interactive 3-D indoor modeler for virtualizing service fields

Abstract: This paper describes an interactive 3-D indoor modeler that effectively creates photo-realistic 3-D indoor models from multiple photographs. This modeler supports the creation of 3-D models from photographs by implementing interaction techniques that use geometric constraints estimated from photographs and visualization techniques that help to easily understand shapes of 3-D models. We evaluated the availability and usability by applying the modeler to model service fields where actual workers provide services and an experience-based exhibit. Our results confirmed that the modeler enables the creation of large-scale indoor environments such as hot-spring inns and event sites at a relatively modest cost. We also confirmed that school children could learn modeling operations and create 3-D models from a photograph for approximately 20 min because of the easy operations. In addition, we describe additional functions that increase the effectiveness of 3-D modeling based on knowledge from service-field modeling. We present applications for behavior analysis of service workers and for 3-D indoor navigation using augmented virtuality (AV)-based visualization realized by photo-realistic 3-D models.

Immersive virtual aquarium with real-walking navigation

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new immersive virtual aquarium system that comprises enhanced navigation, shared user experience, and manipulation in virtual reality. The system utilizes a large studio that allows users to walk around naturally and operates as a surrogate for navigation in the virtual aquarium. It also provides an additional view that shows what is happening in the virtual aquarium to observers. The system can be regarded as a form of augmented virtuality as it superimposes a live video avatar of users into the virtual aquarium. In addition, each user can interact with virtual fishes via 3D gestures because the system also utilizes a gesture recognition method that is suitable for the physically large space. These features enable our proposed system to give users and observers a more immersive and novel experience than conventional virtual reality systems.

Parameters of augmented reality and its use in education

Abstract: This article examines the issue of augmented reality and possibilities of its application in education. It briefly reports on selected results of a broader survey focused on technological, psychological, physiological and didactical aspects of the issue. It presumes that augmented reality has its unique place in technical teaching tools since it is a technological-perception concept, which in certain didactical situations creates more suitable perceptual environment than real environment itself on one hand, or virtual environment on the other. It focuses on identification of the technological-functional properties and specifics of augmented reality systems and on verification of model examples of augmented reality applications in school practice. It characterizes the course and results of empirical research project based on a descriptive case study exploring the cases of implementing selected application solutions of augmented reality into learning experience in accordance with the model of proactive action research.

Mixed Reality Browsers and Pedestrian Navigation in Augmented Cities

Abstract: In this paper, We use a declarative format for positional audio with synchronization between audio chunks using SMIL. This format has been specifically designed for the type of audio used in AR applications. The audio engine associated to this format is running on mobile platforms (iOS, Android). Our MRB browser called IXE use a format based on volunteered geographic information (OpenStreetMap) and OSM documents for IXE can be fully authored in side OSM editors like JOSM. This is in contrast with the other AR browsers like Layar, Juniao, Wikitude, which use a Point of Interest (POI) based format having no notion of ways. This introduces a fundamental difference and in some senses a duality relation between IXE and the other AR browsers. In IXE, Augmented Virtuality (AV) navigation along a route (composed of ways) is central and AR interaction with objects is delegated to associate 3D activities. In AR browsers, navigation along a route is delegated to associated map activities and AR interaction with objects is central. IXE supports multiple tracking technologies and therefore allows both indoor navigation in buildings and outdoor navigation at the level of sidewalks. A first android version of the IXE browser will be released at the end of 2013. Being based on volunteered geographic it will allow building accessible pedestrian networks in augmented cities.