In the VR laboratory, we teach the techniques and methods of Virtual Reality (VR). In the future, these will play an increasingly important role in industrial applications such as construction, plant and product planning, simulation, and training, but also in entertainment and gaming.
Goals and ideas
We want to make it possible to experience all levels, from low to high-end VR. In augmented virtuality, virtual worlds are expanded to include real objects/people. In this way, the hands of a mechanic and a real workpiece can be displayed in a complex assembly simulation.
Laboratory equipment
Devices and functions
The heart of the laboratory is a so-called CAVE. This is a 3x3x3 m cubic area with stereoscopic projection on four sides (front, bottom, left, right). In this multipage projection, multiple users can immerse themselves in virtual worlds. Professional software packages allow application scenarios to be implemented quickly.
We also dispose of Google Cardboards, which can be used to turn your smartphone into a VR headset, but also head-mounted displays such as the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, which can display virtual worlds in better quality. We serve high-end VR with a power wall that offers a stereoscopic display on a 5.5 m² display. Head and gaze tracking and 6DOF interactive pointing devices allow for intuitive and natural interaction with the 3D world. Further, we also make the use of Augmented Reality available through Microsoft’s HoloLens2.
Research
Another area of research alongside augmented reality is collaborative VR, the aim of which is to enable several people to work together in VR. Avatars are mostly used for this. Finally, the investigation of interaction metaphors for selection, manipulation, and navigation in VR is an active research area.
For more information please visit the THI-Website.