Virtual Reality – Maastricht University VR-Lab

Introduction

During a Virtual Reality experiment the participant is able to move through, and have interaction with, a virtual, 3-dimensional world. This world is shown to the participant through a HMD (Head Mounted Display). The participant will experience the world to scale and in stereoscopic 3D.

Tracking

The Virtual Reality Lab consists of a 4 by 6 meter walking space surrounded by 16 tracking camera’s. This trackingsystem can accurately track the location and oriëntation of the participants head because of the placement of light emittion diodes (LEDs) on the participant’s HMD. Using this technology we are able to track most objects, even full bodies.

Immersion

The combination of the HMD and the trackingsystem grants the illusion of the participant being present in the virtual world. Virtual objects are to scale and seem touchable. Also, 3-Dimensional sound can be presented to the participant through 16 speakers arranged around the walking space. This way sounds can be connected to virtual objects and locations, for example a passing car or talking person, strengthening the illusion of presence. Immersion is a key component in Virtual Reality experiments

Content creation

Virtual Reality experiments require graphical assets, which are all produced by our own department. These assets include 3D-models of environments, characters (avatars) and objects, but also animations (the movement of characters) and their sounds. Everything is developed with the research question in mind and according to any specifications given by the researchers.