Immersive Simulation to Train Urban Infantry Combat
Abstract
The key component in developing an effective virtual infantry training simulator is the user interface. Our goal is to develop interfaces that give users close to the same ability to move and coordinate actions as they have in the real world. We have developed two interfaces. Gaiter is a highly realistic body-driven interface in which the user walks in place to walk through the virtual world. With Gaiter, the user can naturally intermix a range of natural and gestural actions. An experiment comparing Gaiter with less realistic interfaces shows that a control technique that mimics a user's natural actions, while beneficial, does not immediately provide all the capabilities of natural motion. These results, along with a Marine Corps interest in lower cost, more deployable systems, have led us to develop a new virtual locomotion control. Pointman is a device-driven interface that uses a conventional dual joystick gamepad. Unlike the control mappings of a conventional game pad, Pointman allows the user to specify direction of movement independently from the heading of the upper body, allowing the user to execute realistic tactical infantry movements such as pie-ing the corner. Pointman can also be used for teleoperation of remotely piloted vehicles, providing added separation over the vehicle's motion and view. Both interfaces derive from an analysis of action and effect that highlights the importance of providing open loop control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA473341
Entities
People
- James N. Templeman
- Linda E. Sibert
- Patricia S. Denbrook
- Robert C. Page
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory