Development of an Omni-directional Virtual Walk-space and its Evaluation

本研究使用一种新的运动界面在虚拟空间中行走，进行了关于导航性能的实验。虽然步行是最直观的运动方式，但在虚拟环境的大多数应用中，行走的本体感受反馈是不提供的。步态大师是一个运动界面，可以在不平坦的表面上产生行走感。该装置采用一个转盘，在转盘上安装两个运动平台。运动平台跟踪脚并将其带回中立位置。用户可以在保持位置的同时在虚拟空间中行走。运动平台垂直移动，模拟不平整的表面。行走者可以在保持姿势的同时爬上或下虚拟楼梯。GaitMaster与一个覆盖整个视野的球形沉浸式显示器相结合，导航性能通过路径再现测试来衡量。实验对象沉浸在一个虚拟的楼梯中。受试者首先移动到目标物体。在他们到达后，目标物体消失了，被安置的受试者被要求回到目标物体被放置的地方。结果表明，该方法具有三维空间的定量识别性能

This research executed experiments regarding navigation performance using a new locomotion interface for walking through virtual space. Although traveling on foot is the most intuitive style of locomotion, proprioceptive feedback from walking is not provided in most applications of virtual environmentThe Gait Master is a locomotion interface that creates sense of walking on uneven surface. The device employs a turntable on which two motion platforms are mounted. The motion platforms trace the feet and carry them back to the neutral position. The user can physically walk in a virtual space while the position is maintained. The motion platforms move vertically, which simulates uneven surface. The walker can climb up or go down a virtual staircase while the position is maintained. The GaitMaster is combined with a spherical immersive display, which covers full field of viewNavigation performance was measured by path reproduction tests. Subjects were immersed in a virtual staircase. The subjects first traveled to the target object. After they reached it, the target object disappeared and the rehomed subjects were asked to return to the place where the target object was placed. The results showed quantitative recognition performance of 3D space