Space Requirements for Wheeled Mobility - University at Buffalo ...

Human Modeling of Wheeled Mobility Aid UseWheelchair simulation in virtual reality, Michael Grant, Ph.D.AbstractThis paper and presentation summarized the results of a project at the Universityof Strathclyde involving the development of a wheelchair motion platform which, inconjunction with a virtual reality (VR) facility, can be used to address issues ofaccessibility in the built environment. The development of the approach is acollaborative effort between architects, bioengineers and user groups and hasinvestigated topics related to platform design and construction, interfacing, testingand user evaluation. Current research is directed towards developing thisprototype, extending existing simulation capabilities and exploring its utility in adesign environment. The outcome of the project has been the development of ahaptic interface that allows manual and powered wheelchair users to navigatewithin VR simulations of buildings through the use of their own wheelchair andprovides the user with feedback related to the sense of effort required to propelthe wheelchair. User testing has demonstrated that the system provides a realisticdepiction of wheelchair use in different environments.Key Points• The use of a wheelchair motion platform used in conjunction with virtual realitycan be a useful design and education tool that allows manual and poweredwheelchair users to navigate safely within VR simulations of prototypebuildings using their own wheelchairs. Collisions with virtual objects combinevisual and non-visual stimulation in a manner that is analogous to real world.• Future research should be directed at extending the capabilities of such asystem by increasing the ability of the wheeled mobility device user to interactwith the virtual world.Virtual reality and full scale modeling – a large mixed realitysystem for participatory design, Roy Davies, Elisabeth Delhom,Birgitta Mitchell, Paule TateAbstractThis paper and presentation summarized a general approach to simulation knownas “The Envision Workshop.” This approach integrates tools that encourageparticipatory technical support in the design process. It utilizes full scale modelingof the environment and an optical tracking system that feeds information onposition and movement of people and objects into a virtual reality model for realtimeanalysis of virtual designs. While the methods appear to provide unique andpotentially valuable design information, challenges related to the limitations of thetracking system, how to track environmental features and integrating the toolsSpace Requirements for Wheeled Mobility 30