Development of virtual acoustics for a renewed practice of acoustical engineering and sound quality studies

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Sounds lead to various negative or positive effects in our daily experiences. In mechanical engineering, two perspectives are used in the study of sound: 1) Acoustics with a focus on physics; 2) Sound quality (SQ) for the study of human reaction to sounds of products.***Acoustics and SQ include scientific methods ranging from modelling, experimental methods to listening tests. These are widely accepted methods. However, the ambient technological trends in the digital and mobile era suggest a vast amount of potential new methods, technologies, scientific and engineering practices of acoustics and SQ. For this research program, the research opportunities and questions are how virtual and augmented reality can be used to redefine and improve the practices of acoustical engineering centered on the listener's experience. In this program, the focus is on the physical accuracy of the virtual content: virtual acoustics driven by models and measurements, both derived from acoustical sciences. This is the originality of the proposed research program. For example, instead of a sound quality listening test for a given product using headphones in a laboratory, the same test could be conducted in a realistic context using active headset, virtual simulations, and rendered using audio-based augmented reality with a mobile device. This represents a potential improvement: with augmented reality, sound quality studies could be performed in real and representative contexts. Virtual and augmented reality are complementary for the future of virtual acoustics.***A current limitation is that most of the ongoing research work in virtual and augmented reality is aimed at entertainment or marketing. Little work has been dedicated to the development and application of physically-accurate virtual and augmented reality for virtual acoustics. Therefore, the research program objectives are the developments of new methods and scientific knowledge in virtual acoustics. We will develop new methods for virtual content generation from theoretical models in acoustics and from microphone array recordings. On the rendering side of virtual acoustics, we will develop new methods for rendering in laboratory conditions using loudspeaker arrays (virtual reality) and in situ with mobile technology (augmented reality). Scientific outcomes will correspond to advances in sound field reproduction, multichannel signal processing, and interactive plus localized virtual acoustics.***In terms of impact, this research program will contribute to the training of highly qualified individuals (HQP) through three PhD students and two undergraduate trainees. Furthermore, the research program will contribute to the positioning of Canadian research and HQPs with respect to virtual and augmented reality technology in the industrial and engineering sectors within the burgeoning digital and mobile era.