Virtual Reality

At the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) we have numerous ongoing projects in which we have built and used computer simulation environments for a number of purposes which include designing and tuning interfaces like joysticks, measuring driving performance, promoting exercise, and modeling of accessible environments.  Our current work is aimed at building three dimensional (3D) simulation environments that can be used not only as training tools but also as useful clinical assessment tools to measure specific outcome parameters.

One of the most promising technologies we have developed and which has application for use in 3D simulation environments is the HERL Isometric Joystick (IJ). The IJ has a user-friendly clinical tuning interface that allows a user or clinician to customize it using a program that displays on a computer screen. We have also developed a 3D driving simulation environment for testing the HERL IJ and other joysticks.  Using this 3D environment we are able to collect data on collisions, errors between desired and actual trajectories, and elapsed time.  We have been able to use this technology to test driving skills in individuals with Traumatic brain injury and attention deficit disorder. We also learnt to apply filters to the joystick for individuals with movement disorders and tremors.   In addition we created a non-immersive but enhanced 2D simulation environment that we used to test driving skills of subjects with Spastic Cerebral Palsy as part of an NIH K12 award.  This system also incorporates realistic wheelchair ballistics and the virtual wheelchair responds in real time to subject commands with no time delay.

Using the technology we have developed at HERL, we are currently working on a repeated measures study to examine if computer-based and virtual reality-based assessment tools are as effective as a real world power wheelchair driving test, the Power Mobility Road Test (PMRT) used in wheel chair clinics to assess driving performance in power wheel chair users.  We are also trying to study if these tests would be helpful in identifying objective parameters that would help improve power wheelchair driving performance.  This study will serve as a platform for future research in using 3D environments for home based training tools and clinical assessment tools to improve mobility for individuals with disabilities by improving driving skills and treating cognitive, sensory, or motor impairments that may impair driving.