Description

Locomotion techniques enable users to navigate in larger Virtual Environments (VEs) than the physical workspace available. Redirections [1] are a common approach to prevent users from reaching the boundaries of the workspace and enable infinite navigation in Virtual Reality (VR). Recent research showed that new haptic redirection could be used. For instance, the Hanger Reflex is a force illusion that accompanies involuntary body rotation. It is caused by pressure and skin deformation applied to certain positions of the human body, and it has been shown that when applied to the waist, it is possible to control a human’s walking direction [2,3,4]. The purpose of this topic is to understand how the Hanger Reflex could be used in VR. To achieve this, we need first to develop the Hanger Reflex device and then assess it in VR.

Tasks

• Development of an interface that generates the Hanger Reflex on different body segments (head, waist, legs).
• Development of a proof of concept in Unity3D to show how users could be redirected in VR experimental platform using Unity3D to assess UPD during navigation in VR.

Requirements

• Knowledge of English language (source code, comments, and final report should be in English)
• Programming skills (C/C++/C#)
• Knowledge of Arduino and Microcontrollers is advantageous
• Knowledge of Unity 3D and VR is advantageous

Environment

The project will be implemented with a microcontroller and the student(s) could choose their own implementation as long as it will fit the design requirements. The proof of concept will be developed in Unity3D, with HTC Vive or Oculus Quest for VR immersion.

Workplan

The work of this thesis will start with a brief overview regarding the state of the art of navigation techniques in VR and the Hanger Reflex (see references below). Then, a similar Hanger Reflex interface than proposed in [2] will be developed to recreate the hanger reflex on different body parts (e.g., head, waist, arm and ankles). In case of a master thesis or if there is more time, a proof of concept will be develop with Unity 3D to show the results of the interface.

Responsible

For more information please contact Hugo Brument (https://www.vr.tuwien.ac.at/people/hugo-brument/) hugo.brument@tuwien.ac.at

References

[1] Suma, E. A., Bruder, G., Steinicke, F., Krum, D. M., & Bolas, M. (2012, March). A taxonomy for deploying redirection techniques in immersive virtual environments. In 2012 IEEE Virtual Reality Workshops (VRW) (pp. 43-46). IEEE.

[2] Kon, Y., Nakamura, T., & Kajimoto, H. (2017). HangerON: a belt-type human walking controller using the hanger reflex haptic illusion. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2017 Emerging Technologies (pp. 1-2).

[3] Kon, Y., Nakamura, T., & Kajimoto, H. (2017, March). Interpretation of navigation information modulates the effect of the waist-type Hanger Reflex on walking. In 2017 IEEE Symposium on 3D User Interfaces (3DUI) (pp. 107-115). IEEE.

[4] Xie, C., Tan, C. K., & Sugiyama, T. (2019, March). The Effect of Hanger Reflex on Virtual Reality Redirected Walking. In 2019 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR) (pp. 1243-1244). IEEE.