Multisensory Experiences in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Interaction Paradigms

Multisensory stimuli can be integrated in systems that make use of different paradigms, such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) or, in a wider sense, Mixed Reality (MR), enhancing user experiences within the virtual content. However, despite the many technological solutions that exist (both hardware and software), only visual and sonic stimuli can be considered as highly integrated in consumer-grade applications. This chapter addresses the current state of the art in multisensory experiences, taking also in consideration the aforementioned interaction paradigms, and brings the benefits and challenges. As an example, authors introduce ROMOT, a RObotic 3D-MOvie Theatre, that supp…

A Hybrid Virtual-Augmented Serious Game to Improve Driving Safety Awareness

The use of 3D virtual content and Augmented Reality (AR) in certain applications allows designing tools and serious games that are more attractive to the potential users. Focusing on the area of learning and education, these technologies can be adapted to the requirements of the application that needs to be developed, to the available devices on which they are expected to run and also to the learning content. However, in most applications only a single interaction paradigm and a single visualization mode is used, restricting the potential benefits of the system. In this paper, we propose a software application designed to improve driving safety awareness and learning for both adults and chi…

Cross-Device Augmented Reality Annotations Method for Asynchronous Collaboration in Unprepared Environments

Augmented Reality (AR) annotations are a powerful way of communication when collaborators cannot be present at the same time in a given environment. However, this situation presents several challenges, for example: how to record the AR annotations for later consumption, how to align virtual and real world in unprepared environments or how to offer the annotations to users with different AR devices. In this paper we present a cross-device AR annotation method that allows users to create and display annotations asynchronously in environments without the need for prior preparation (AR markers, point cloud capture, etc.). This is achieved through an easy user-assisted calibration process and a …

ROMOT: A Robotic 3D-Movie Theater Allowing Interaction and Multimodal Experiences

In this paper we introduce ROMOT, a RObotic 3D-MOvie Theater. ROMOT is built with a robotic motion platform, includes multimodal devices and supports audience-film interaction. Differently from other similar systems, ROMOT is highly versatile as it can support different setups, integrated hardware and contents. Regarding to the setups, here we present a first-person movie, a mixed reality environment, a virtual reality interactive environment and an augmented reality mirror-based scene. Regarding to integrated hardware, the system currently integrates a variety of devices and displays that allow audiences to see, hear, smell, touch and feel the movement, all synchronized with the filmic exp…

A taxonomy of augmented reality annotations

MIME: A Mixed-Space Collaborative System with Three Immersion Levels and Multiple Users

Shared spaces for remote collaboration are nowadays possible by considering a variety of users, devices, immersion systems, interaction capabilities, navigation paradigms, etc. There is a substantial amount of research done in this line, proposing different solutions. However, still a more general solution that considers the heterogeneity of the involved actors/items is lacking. In this paper, we present MIME, a mixed-space tri-collaborative system. Differently from other mixed-space systems, MIME considers three different types of users (in different locations) according to the level of immersion in the system, who can interact simultaneously – what we call a tri-collaboration. For the thr…

Augmented Reality-Based Training Systems for Teaching Health and Safety Procedures in Construction

Traditional teaching methods are not always efficient, especially in areas where the concepts to teach relate to physical work that must be done outside the classroom. This is the case of the construction sector, where the teaching of safety procedures is crucial to reduce the number of accidents, but traditional methods fail to highlight the importance of these procedures. The use of computer simulation through new technologies such as augmented reality (AR) can engage more students in order to better understand the concepts. In addition, they can visualize virtual elements superimposed on the real world to simulate the real situations they will later face in construction. This chapter dea…

Mixing Different Realities in a Single Shared Space

The concept of internet of everything involves an intelligent connection of people, processes, data, and things. In this sense, shared spaces aimed to connect different users that collaborate following a common purpose are of relevance to the field. Many computer-based collaborative environments have been proposed in recent years. However, the design of mixed-platform collaborative spaces, in which different paradigms—such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)—are blended, is still uncommon. This chapter aims to analyze the benefits and features of these systems, reviewing existing related works and proposing a series of features for the design of effective mixed-platform colla…

DesMol2, an Effective Tool for the Construction of Molecular Libraries and Its Application to QSAR Using Molecular Topology

A web application, DesMol2, which offers two main functionalities, is presented: the construction of molecular libraries and the calculation of topological indices. These functionalities are explained through a practical example of research of active molecules to the formylpeptide receptor (FPR), a receptor associated with chronic inflammation in systemic amyloidosis and Alzheimer&rsquo

MIME: A mixed-space collaborative system with three immersion levels and multiple users

Shared spaces for remote collaboration are nowadays possible by considering a variety of users, devices, immersion systems, interaction capabilities, navigation paradigms, etc. There is a substantial amount of research done in this line, proposing different solutions. However, still a more general solution that considers the heterogeneity of the involved actors/items is lacking. In this paper, we present MIME, a mixed-space tri-collaborative system. Differently from other mixed-space systems, MIME considers three different types of users (in different locations) according to the level of immersion in the system, who can interact simultaneously – what we call a tri-collaboration. For the thr…