An Optimized Spatial Audio System for Virtual Training Simulations

VR based training systems have the advantage of being portable, deployable and reconfigurable and can thus provide effective training in the field where it's most needed. Regrettably, these systems have not yet been shown to be effective in providing positive training transfer in real world applications. Analysis of such systems suggests that in order to be effective, they must fully integrate the wide range of sensory cues associated with performing complex tasks. The objective of this effort is to develop the requisite science and technology for incorporating effective auditory cues in VR based training systems. Through the application of rigorous experimental research, an auditory display science will be established providing guidelines for auditory scene design. These guidelines will establish best practices in the use of real auditory cues, metaphoric cues and also will also establish fidelity requirements in order to maximize training effectiveness. Technology development will provide the capability to encode these best practices into auditory scene design tools for VR based training systems. The tools will enable personnel in the field to develop training scenarios in an interactive, guided process that ensures that best practices in auditory scene design are adhered to so that the training effectiveness is ensured.