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 POEMS (see http://www.poems-project.info) will develop reliable multi-level measurement methods
for perceived spatial presence and ego-motion. These methods will be
used to establish and model optimal auditory, visual, and vibrational
rendering parameters and cross-modal, synergistic interactions.
Abstract:
In most existing VR applications, we lack the intuitive feeling of
being "spatially present", resulting in a reduced performance for
spatial tasks. POEMS pursues a human-centred approach to solve this
problem. POEMS will develop reliable multi-level measurement methods
for perceived spatial presence and ego-motion. These methods will be
used to establish and model optimal auditory, visual, and vibrational
rendering parameters and cross-modal, synergistic interactions. This
will enable us to outline a lean and cost-effective VR set-up that
allows for convincing simulation of ego-motions without actually
moving the observer, by combining auditory, visual, and vibrational
cues. Future VE platforms optimise from both a perceptual and
technical point-of-view based on the POEMS concept, will ultimately be
compact, easily transportable, quiet, low-cost, and safe, since they
just use projected 3D graphics, 3D sound, and vibrations, without any
potentially dangerous moving parts.
Objectives:
The overall objective of POEMS is to define the perceptually relevant rendering parameters for
enhanced spatial presence experience. POEMS will develop reliable and valid multi-level measurement
methods (subjective-introspective, psychophysical, physiological and behavioural) for spatial presence
and ego-motion perception. These methods will be used to establish "optimal" auditory, visual, and
vibrational rendering parameters as well as cross-modal, synergistic interactions important for
perceiving spatial presence and ego-motion. Using this knowledge, the relation between rendering
parameters, cross-modal effects, and spatial presence will be mathematically modelled. The long-term
aim is to enable developers and designers of VR systems to optimise their simulations both technically
and perceptually, thus allowing for lean, elegant, and low-cost VR simulations with a high sense of
spatial presence and ego-motion. This is a prerequisite for the usability of VR for training purposes.
Work description:
Chalmers provides expertise in the field of high-end 3D auditory and vibrational rendering, while
MPI-T's expertise lies in the field of high-end visual, vibrational, and vestibular rendering. The work
within POEMS contains the following steps:
1) Establishing VR set-ups at both partner's labs including auditory-visual- vibrational technique,
which allow a comparable baseline performance for subsequent experiments;
2) Refining introspective state of the art methodologies, which will be used in parallel with other
measures throughout the project;
3) Performing psychophysical experiments to establish auditory, visual, vestibular, and vibrational
rendering parameters important for perceiving spatial presence and ego-motion. Furthermore, a first
mathematical model of the contribution of rendering parameters and cross-modal effects to spatial
presence and ego-motion will be developed;
4) Performing physiological experiments(body sway) to establish auditory, visual and vibrational
rendering parameters important for ego-motion perception. The mathematical model will be refined
accordingly;
5) Performing behavioural experiments to establish auditory, visual, and vibrational rendering
parameters important for the behaviorally relevant aspects of spatial presence and ego-motion
perception;
6) Investigating the potential benefit of using different interface metaphors and transitions between
real and virtual worlds, and how these may be used to enhance the sense of spatial presence and
ego-motion;
7) Combining the knowledge gained throughout the project and validating the resulting model in
high-level experiments. A final spatial presence model will be developed and used to outline a lean,
elegant motion simulation set-up that gives the user a high sense of spatial presence and ego-motion at
a low cost.
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