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 will determine the feasibility of developing advanced man/machine Virtual Control System (VCS) interfaces 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. In the proposed project, a Virtual Control System interface device prototype will be developed and soVoz's component-based 3D simulation technology and authoring tools will be used to create a MOUT room clearing task scenario to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. Successful completion of Phase I of the project will set the stage for developing a fully wearable Virtual Control System device in Phase II capable of being used with current embedded dismounted infantry training systems.