An implementation review of occlusion-based interaction in augmented reality environment

Augmented Reality (AR) technology shows some potential in providing new approach of interaction with computer.It shares similar potential in Virtual Reality (VR) but at lower cost.In this paper, an AR application is developed to explore the capability of the interaction approach called Occlusion Based Interaction using low cost device.The implementation of the application is utilizing the ARToolKit library as the main library to handle the AR part while OpenGL and GLUT to handle the graphics manipulation and windows management respectively

A Conceptual Framework for Designing Virtual Environments for Stress Therapy

Virtual reality for stress therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing stress. However, the majority of the existing studies have only focused on investigating the effectiveness of virtual reality application as a stress reduction tool. Limited information was communicated on how the virtual environments used were designed. Existing design frameworks which may potentially be used as a reference turned out to be providing general guidelines and were not specifically developed for designing a virtual environment for stress therapy. The frameworks were also found to focus on either improving psychological well-being or virtual reality design respectively. To address the identified gap, this study proposed a framework for designing virtual environments for stress therapy. The framework incorporates design requirements from a psychological and information technology point of view. In addition, the framework also highlights the design elements that were specifically needed to design a virtual environment to reduce stress. This paper hence describes the framework and discusses the framework evaluation. Four methods, including (i) questionnaire, (ii) physiological measures, (iii) experiment and (iv) interview were used to evaluate the (i) effectiveness, (ii) usability, (iii) ease of use and (iv) usefulness of the system that implemented the concept of the framework in reducing stress. In addition, the methods were also used to assess the usefulness of the design elements listed in the framework to reduce stress. The results of the evaluation indicated that the system was (i) effective, (ii) usable, (iii) useful and (iv) easy to use to reduce stress. The results also showed that the proposed design elements were useful in aiding the stress-reduction process. As all the results returned positive findings, the framework was thus considered appropriate and suitable to be used as a guideline for designing virtual environments for stress therapy

A Conceptual Framework for Designing Virtual Environments for Stress Therapy

Virtual reality for stress therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing stress. However, the majority of the existing studies have only focused on investigating the effectiveness of virtual reality application as a stress reduction tool. Limited information was communicated on how the virtual environments used were designed. Existing design frameworks which may potentially be used as a reference turned out to be providing general guidelines and were not specifically developed for designing a virtual environment for stress therapy. The frameworks were also found to focus on either improving psychological well-being or virtual reality design respectively. To address the identified gap, this study proposed a framework for designing virtual environments for stress therapy. The framework incorporates design requirements from a psychological and information technology point of view. In addition, the framework also highlights the design elements that were specifically needed to design a virtual environment to reduce stress. This paper hence describes the framework and discusses the framework evaluation. Four methods, including (i) questionnaire, (ii) physiological measures, (iii) experiment and (iv) interview were used to evaluate the (i) effectiveness, (ii) usability, (iii) ease of use and (iv) usefulness of the system that implemented the concept of the framework in reducing stress. In addition, the methods were also used to assess the usefulness of the design elements listed in the framework to reduce stress. The results of the evaluation indicated that the system was (i) effective, (ii) usable, (iii) useful and (iv) easy to use to reduce stress. The results also showed that the proposed design elements were useful in aiding the stress-reduction process. As all the results returned positive findings, the framework was thus considered appropriate and suitable to be used as a guideline for designing virtual environments for stress therapy

Malaysia’s Electricity Decarbonisation Pathways: Exploring the Role of Renewable Energy Policies Using Agent-Based Modelling

Coal’s rising prominence in the power industry has raised concerns about future CO2 emissions and energy reliability. As of 2017, it is estimated that Malaysia’s existing natural gas production can only be maintained for another 40 years. Consequently, the carbon intensity of electricity production has increased due to the increasing share of coal-fired plants and electricity infrastructure inefficiencies. To summarise, energy industries have been the highest emitters of CO2 emissions, with a 54-percent share. In response to these challenges, the government implemented a series of renewable energy (RE) policy measures. Whether these policies are sufficient in driving Malaysian energy decarbonisation is yet to be seen. In this study, we simulated different scenarios from 2015 to 2050 with an agent-based model to explore the roles of renewable energy policies towards emission reduction in the energy sector. The simulation results reveal that when all renewables initiatives were implemented, the share of RE increased to 16 percent, and emissions intensity fell by 26 percent relative to its level in 2005, albeit with increasing absolute carbon emissions. This milestone is still far below the government’s 45 percent reduction target. The simulation results demonstrate that renewable energy policies are less effective in driving Malaysian electricity towards desired low-carbon pathways. Furthermore, it is evidenced that no single approach can achieve the emission reduction target. Therefore, a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy policy measures is unavoidable to decarbonise the electricity sector in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Electricity Decarbonisation Pathways: Exploring the Role of Renewable Energy Policies Using Agent-Based Modelling

Coal’s rising prominence in the power industry has raised concerns about future CO2 emissions and energy reliability. As of 2017, it is estimated that Malaysia’s existing natural gas production can only be maintained for another 40 years. Consequently, the carbon intensity of electricity production has increased due to the increasing share of coal-fired plants and electricity infrastructure inefficiencies. To summarise, energy industries have been the highest emitters of CO2 emissions, with a 54-percent share. In response to these challenges, the government implemented a series of renewable energy (RE) policy measures. Whether these policies are sufficient in driving Malaysian energy decarbonisation is yet to be seen. In this study, we simulated different scenarios from 2015 to 2050 with an agent-based model to explore the roles of renewable energy policies towards emission reduction in the energy sector. The simulation results reveal that when all renewables initiatives were implemented, the share of RE increased to 16 percent, and emissions intensity fell by 26 percent relative to its level in 2005, albeit with increasing absolute carbon emissions. This milestone is still far below the government’s 45 percent reduction target. The simulation results demonstrate that renewable energy policies are less effective in driving Malaysian electricity towards desired low-carbon pathways. Furthermore, it is evidenced that no single approach can achieve the emission reduction target. Therefore, a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy policy measures is unavoidable to decarbonise the electricity sector in Malaysia