Control Interface for Driving Interactive Characters in Immersive Virtual Environments

The effectiveness of training personnel in immersive 3D virtual environments is currently limited by control interfaces that require users to perform actions, for example moving a joystick or pressing a button, that are not present in equivalent real world tasks and situations. In Phase I of the project soVoz determined the feasibility of developing an advanced man/machine Virtual Locomotion Controller user interface capable of providing dismounted infantry with a more natural and effective means for controlling the movement and body posture of their avatar in immersive 3D training applications. Building on the Phase I results, Phase II of the project will enhance and extend the functionality of the Virtual Locomotion Controller as well as develop a fully functional prototype compatible with existing man-wearable dismounted infantry embedded training systems. An interactive 3D building clearing simulation also will be constructed in Phase II to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the Virtual Locomotion Controller user interface in typical man-wearable embedded training system tasks.