Navigation in Virtual Environments

This week, Ayana Burkins and Teddy Ward, computer science undergraduate students working under Regis Kopper of the DiVE will present their work on navigation in virtual environments.Ayana: My project is a study of the use of auditory cues as a wayfinding aid in virtual environments. Users will perform wayfinding tasks using an Oculus Rift application to determine if they are able to perform tasks faster and more accurately in environments with sound.Teddy: We have adapted a technique for locomotion, finger walking in place, for use with the Oculus Rift. In the past, some virtual environment interaction techniques have been found to have gender-based differences in whose performance they improve. Therefore, we will test peoples' sense of spatial understanding while using the FWIP technique and an Xbox 360 joystick, and look in particular at differences in performance between genders.Aside from presenting their research, we will have live demos of the experiments with two versions of the Oculus Rift.The goal is to create a community through: meeting face-to-face with other people who are interested in Media Arts + Sciences, sharing ideas / methods / resources, learning about the projects we're all working on, and socializing and getting to know each other better. All those interested in Media Arts + Sciences are welcome. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. Please enter through Bay 12.