An Ontology for Human-Centered Analysis and Design of Virtual Reality Conferencing

Remote conferencing for collaboration is a fast-growing field. Virtual Reality applications are experiencing a surge in popularity as they afford a feeling of co-presence and ‘togetherness’ that video-conferencing cannot. But VR environments for conferencing are not fully mature yet in terms of space, and even less so in terms of the human activities they are supposed to facilitate. Moreover, for researchers, designers and practitioners from various backgrounds working on and in these spaces, a rigorous, shared language for conferencing activities in virtual environments to facilitate the exchange between different stakeholders does not exist as yet. In this paper, we therefore propose a simple, clear method for the development of a human-centered ontology for VR-conferencing, combining existing methodological protocols with Activity Theory and Installation Theory. We then present the first iteration of the ontology focusing specifically on human activity which we developed based on a recent 5-week conference with experts from academia and industry that took place in a 3D VR-environment

Using a Visualization Tool for Studying the Effects of Virtual Environments on Assembly Training

The objective of this research is to build and demonstrate the design on Virtual Reality (VR) environment to aid in the understanding of assembly & assembly planning for complex systems. To explain the research work, a Virtual Reality environment was created for assembly simulation of Treadmill parts used in a Spacecraft. This environment will account for space related constraint such as, gravity. This study will help in understanding the assembly of the VR model which might help an assembler to optimize the design related cost. Unity 3D is used for creating the VR environment along with Solidworks to create Treadmill parts. Text and image cues are offered to assist users while performing manual assembly. The assembly sequence followed by users will be compared with an optimized path sequence computed using a Genetic Algorithm for a collision-free layout. To validate the research work, the virtual assembly simulation has been run on four distinct set ups using immersive (VIVE headset) and non-immersive (desktop) virtual reality systems. A series of user studies to achieve two primary objectives has been conducted: 1) Evaluation of simulated representations with respect to different analysis, 2) Identification of best layout in terms of correctness and elapsed time for a virtual environment. A visualization tool was employed to analyze the system and data collected from diverse set ups. An interactive visualization tool based on a Tree-Map visualization technique was developed to represent the hidden patterns in users’ behavior when they perform different tasks in a virtual environment (using head-mounted VR tool and monitor based VR) which also help in concluding that immersive virtual reality with image cue appear to be the best set up in terms of correctness and time. In addition, using this interactive visualization tool, we show the intrinsic statistical relationships between/within diverse groups of participants in the form of chord diagrams.Computer Scienc

Cyber physical approach and framework for micro devices assembly

The emergence of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) and Internet-of-Things (IoT) based principles and technologies holds the potential to facilitate global collaboration in various fields of engineering. Micro Devices Assembly (MDA) is an emerging domain involving the assembly of micron sized objects and devices. In this dissertation, the focus of the research is the design of a Cyber Physical approach for the assembly of micro devices. A collaborative framework comprising of cyber and physical components linked using the Internet has been developed to accomplish a targeted set of MDA life cycle activities which include assembly planning, path planning, Virtual Reality (VR) based assembly analysis, command generation and physical assembly. Genetic algorithm and modified insertion algorithm based methods have been proposed to support assembly planning activities. Advanced VR based environments have been designed to support assembly analysis where plans can be proposed, compared and validated. The potential of next generation Global Environment for Network Innovation (GENI) networking technologies has also been explored to support distributed collaborations involving VR-based environments. The feasibility of the cyber physical approach has been demonstrated by implementing the cyber physical components which collaborate to assemble micro designs. The case studies conducted underscore the ability of the developed Cyber Physical approach and framework to support distributed collaborative activities for MDA process contexts

骨モデルにおける切削特性に関する研究

Tohoku University太田信課