England: Holovis Upgrades VSimulator Motion Platform for University of Exeter

Virtual Reality (VR) and motion technology are also in demand outside the entertainment industry. New functionality has recently been added to the VSimulator installed by British Holovis company at the University of Exeter, which allows researchers and commercial clients to use VR technology in conjunction with a motion platform to study human behaviour in a wide variety of virtually generated environments. New features include a set of code libraries and content which allow users to create their own software solutions to control the system, tailored to their specific needs. Another new function allows researchers who are not fully-versed in operating the platform the opportunity to quickly understand basic controls, increasing speed to competence and shortening research phases. Furthermore, immediate playback of 360-degree videos in the VR headsets is now possible, in conjunction with movement on the motion platform, which was provided by E2M.

Recent research projects using the VSimulator have included a medical study focusing on how older people can move safely around certain environments. Also it has been used for applications such as testing bridge or stadium design when people are moving on the structure. On the platform, nine users can be simultaneously immersed in shared experiences using VR headsets, with all the motion and movement data captured by the system for processing and analysis. (eap)