Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

Test plays a very important role in manufacturing, but the general practice so far cannot fully meet the demands of flexibility and efficiency required by a fast-changing market. To supply a new and flexible approach to the solution of various complex engineering testing problems, the concept of “VR-based virtual test technology” was put forward in the authors’ previous works, which can be regarded as the combination of these three technologies: virtual reality (VR), test technology and computer simulation. This paper is the deepening of the authors’ previous works. After elucidating the theoretical model of VR-based virtual test technology, its application in instrument development is discussed, and finally a prototype VR-based instrument development system is given to show the initial effects of the approach. The conclusion is that VR-based virtual test technology can play a very important and active role in testing and instrument development.

Executing user-test of information appliances costs much due to fabrication of physical functional mockups, the securing of human subjects for the test, and preparation of testing facilities. Results of the user test have to be manually analyzed by usability engineers, and the analysis takes a couple of weeks. In this paper, we propose an integrated software and hardware environment for prototyping and assessing usability of information appliances where the users can operate a user-interface either of a 2D digital mockup or 3D digital mockup or a physical-mockup of the appliance under the test. This function enables engineers to test and evaluate the usability of the appliances both from the cognitive aspect and from the physical aspects.

We simulate the application of facial makeup in 3D by means of multi-sensory interaction which integrates a haptic interface with stereo visual perception. We aim to allow a user to simulate the facial makeup within an immersive virtual environment. To allow interactive 3D makeup process, we start by acquiring surface elements of a face which is enhanced by adjusting its texture and skin tone. Then the user can begin a virtual makeup session using 2D pixel-based paint model by grasping a haptic handle and looking at an auto-stereoscopic display. The use of this model avoids the texture distortion seen in existing 3D painting systems.

Visiting the outer space freely was the human imagination until recently. Virtual environments of the space will be the way for people to “visit” the space to study their motion and interrelationships. This paper assembles a scalable, immersive virtual environment system called the Virtual Space Environment Simulation System (VSESS) that allows users to visualize objects and physical phenomena in near-earth space and provides a brief sketch of the design thinking of such system. The software architecture of the VSESS is designed incorporate the various simulation, analysis and visualization elements of the system into a single, integrated environment. The system employs a VR system with double projector to build immense 3-D environment and applied to some actual space projects and they demonstrate the efficacy of the concept and the processing.

Simple and rapid prototyping is important for collaborative design where end users are involved in the design process from the early phase. This paper presents a collaborative design prototyping tool for hardware software integrated information appliances, such as mobile phones and digital cameras. It supports the collaboration between designers and users for identification of user needs and evaluation of design. The tool consists of STCtools (State Transition Chart tools) software, hardware modeling materials, physical user interface toolkits for software hardware integration, and Augmented Reality desk (ARdesk) for interactive simulation. STCtools allow users to prototype the behavioral aspect of information appliances using states and events. Using the hardware modeling materials and the physical user interface toolkit, designers and end-users explore hardware aspects together. ARdesk is a workbench where the interactive sketch display is projected onto an invisible paper marker of the hardware model using the projection based augmented reality technique. Three collaborative design workshops of designing a portable device for theme park users were accomplished with the prototyping tool for qualitative evaluation. The results suggested that the tool supported collaborative design by iterative concept development and active interactions between designers and end users.

This paper explores how a ‘learning‘ algorithm can be added to UGV’s by giving it the ability to test the terrain through ‘feeling‘ using incorporated sensors, which would in turn increase its situational awareness. Once the conditions are measured the system will log the results and a database can be built up of terrain types and their properties (terrain classification), therefore when it comes to operating autonomously in an unknown, unpredictable environment, the vehicle will be able to cope by identifying the terrain and situation and then decide on the best and most efficient way to travel over it by making adjustments, which would greatly improve the vehicles ability to operate autonomously.

Virtual reality (VR) based skill training simulators are highly interactive computer systems that allow for training of e.g. manipulation skills. In the most complex domains, such as in surgery, teaching correct manipulation requires expert’s judgement and instructions. Video annotation has enabled presentation of explicit principles of manipulation that are highlighted on a recorded demonstration of an expert. In VR, similar annotation methods have been applied even though interactivity of VR allows for novel kinds of representations of annotated data. This paper presents an annotation model and an interface that uses interactivity of VR as an advantage on reading the annotations, which has potential to convey the principles of manipulation through multiple modalities to novices. The design of the model is based on behavioural parameters of the simulation – features which cannot be accessed in the real world. This approach has potential to enhance efficiency of VR simulator based skill training.

The Aircraft maintenance and inspection is a complex system wherein humans play a key role in ensuring the worthiness of the aircraft. Traditional visual inspection training consisted mainly of on-the-job training (OJT). While OJT provides novice inspectors with the hands-on experience critical to effective transfer, it lacks the ability to provide real-time feedback and exposure to various scenarios in which to inspect.

With advances in technology, computer simulators have been developed to train the novice inspector and reduce the learning curve inherent with transitioning from the classroom to the workforce. Advances in graphics and virtual reality (VR) technology have allowed for an increase the sense of involvement in using these simulators. Though these simulators are effective, their deployment in aircraft maintenance training schools is limited by the high cost of VR equipment. This research investigates the effectiveness of different interaction devices for providing projector based simulated aircraft maintenance inspection training.

In this paper we introduce an innovative application designed to make collaborative design review in the architectural and automotive domain more effective. For this purpose we present a system architecture which combines variety of visualization displays such as high resolution multi-tile displays, TabletPCs and head-mounted displays with innovative 2D and 3D Interaction Paradigms to better support collabo rative mobile mixed reality design reviews. Our research and development is motivated by two use scenarios: automotive and architectural design review involving real users from Page\Park architects and FIAT Elasis. Our activities are supported by the EU IST project IMPROVE aimed at developing advanced display techniques, fostering activities in the areas of: optical see-through HMD development using unique OLED technology, marker-less optical tracking, mixed reality rendering, image calibration for large tiled displays, collaborative tablet-based and projection wall oriented interaction and stereoscopic video streaming for mobile users. The paper gives an overview of the hardware and software developments within IMPROVE and concludes with results from first user tests.

In the VTT PLAMOS (Plant Model Services for Mobile Process Maintenance Engineer) project new tools were developed for modern maintenance work carried out in industrial plants by either the plant personnel or personnel of an industrial service provider. To formulate the requirements for new tools the work of a maintenance man was studied with a particular method, the Core-Task Analysis which has its roots in study and development of work in complex settings. The aim was to develop and create concepts for novel tools that would support the development of good work practices in a situation where the work is concurrently undergoing several transformations. Hence, the new tools should have potential to enable and affect new ways of working.