Press release:
Human Coordination Tested in Virtual Environment
Opening Human Performance VR Lab
The University of Twente opens their Human Performance VR Laboratory, featuring an interactive virtual environment that
subjects can see and feel and in which researchers can test balance and coordination. The lab centers around a moving platform
and an advanced movement registration system. The University is going to utilize it for research about human coordination, for
training by the rehabilitation center "Het Roessingh" in Enschede and for ergonomic research for new product designs.
The new facilities will be opened and demonstrated on the 31st of October at the facility of Engineering Technology.
Researching the complex connections of human coordination: balance behavior, walking movements, visual and auditory perception
and hand-eye coordination is a main focus of the new Human Performance VR Lab. It is therefore being equipped with an advanced
CAREN system that is specially adapted for the laboratory. A research subject stands on a moving platform that can quickly move
on three axes: tilt, pitch and roll. Through infrared light and reflective markers worn by the subject, movements are registered
and 'captured' by cameras. In 'real time', these tracked points (the reflective markers) are connected to the corresponding points
on a computer model, whose movements now mimic the subject. The subject can also wear gloves with sensors in them, or
'data gloves'. In combination with tactile feedback 'haptic devices' it is possible not only to see a virtual object but also
to feel it. A head-mounted display makes the illusion complete so the balance tests can be done in a three dimensional virtual
world indulging senses beyond sight.
Multi functional
Research leader Dr. Herman van der Kooij got his innovative ideas about movement research from the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme from NWO, the Dutch organization for scientific research. Van der Kooij's research is part of the Biomedical Technical Institute (BMTI) of the University of Twente. The new facilities are also going to be used for training by the rehabilitation center "Het Roessingh" in Enschede. In addition, the installed technology allows the testing of newly developed products for their ergonomic qualities. The Lab now has a place in the course studies of the schools of Bio mechanical Technology, Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering. The University of Twente is also designing a course discipline to be called Technical Medical Science which is expected to utilize the lab. The new VR application also compliments the local cooperation with 'VR Valley Twente'.
Program and demos
The official opening of the lab, at the facility of Engineering Technology on the 31st of October at 16.00 pm, will be presided over by UT-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Frans van Vught. Also speaking is research leader Dr. Herman van der Kooij and Dr. Fred van Houten, professor of Design, Production and Management, who in his developing process also uses VR extensively and works closely with the group of Dr. van der Kooij.
Preceding the opening program are interactive demonstrations starting at 14.00 pm to experience the look and feel of the laboratory in person.
For more information about the new lab:
Herman van der Kooij, tel: (053) 4894779
email: h.vanderkooij@ctw.utwente.nl
Contact person for the press:
ir. Wiebe van der Veen, tel (053) 4894244
email: w.r.vanderveen@utwente.nl |
