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1. Immersive Distributed Design Through Real-Time Capture, Translation, and Rendering of Three-Dimensional Mesh Data1

   https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035001  

   Lesniak, Kevin ; Terpenny, Janis ; Tucker, Conrad S. ; Anumba, Chimay ; Bilén, Sven G. ( September 2017 , Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering)

   With design teams becoming more distributed, the sharing and interpreting of complex data about design concepts/prototypes and environments have become increasingly challenging. The size and quality of data that can be captured and shared directly affects the ability of receivers of that data to collaborate and provide meaningful feedback. To mitigate these challenges, the authors of this work propose the real-time translation of physical objects into an immersive virtual reality environment using readily available red, green, blue, and depth (RGB-D) sensing systems and standard networking connections. The emergence of commercial, off-the-shelf RGB-D sensing systems, such as the Microsoft Kinect, has enabled the rapid three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of physical environments. The authors present a method that employs 3D mesh reconstruction algorithms and real-time rendering techniques to capture physical objects in the real world and represent their 3D reconstruction in an immersive virtual reality environment with which the user can then interact. Providing these features allows distributed design teams to share and interpret complex 3D data in a natural manner. The method reduces the processing requirements of the data capture system while enabling it to be portable. The method also provides an immersive environment in which designers can view and interpret the data remotely. A case study involving a commodity RGB-D sensor and multiple computers connected through standard TCP internet connections is presented to demonstrate the viability of the proposed method. 

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2. Working Together Apart through Embodiment: Engaging in Everyday Collaborative Activities in Social Virtual Reality

   https://doi.org/10.1145/3492836  

   Freeman, Guo ; Acena, Dane ; McNeese, Nathan J. ; Schulenberg, Kelsea ( January 2022 , Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction)

   Computer-mediated collaboration has long been a core research interest in CSCW and HCI. As online social spaces continue to evolve towards more immersive and higher fidelity experiences, more research is still needed to investigate how emerging novel technology may foster and support new and more nuanced forms and experiences of collaboration in virtual environments. Using 30 interviews, this paper focuses on what people may collaborate on and how they collaborate in social Virtual Reality (VR). We broaden current studies on computer-mediated collaboration by highlighting the importance of embodiment for co-presence and communication, replicating offline collaborative activities, and supporting the seamless interplay of work, play, and mundane experiences in everyday lives for experiencing and conceptualizing collaboration in emerging virtual environments. We also propose potential design implications that could further support everyday collaborative activities in social VR 

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3. The CLICK Approach and its Impact on Learning Introductory Probability Concepts in an Industrial Engineering Course

   Lopez, Christian ; Ashour, Omar ; Cunningham, James ; Tucker, Conrad ; Lynch, Paul ( June 2020 , ASEE Annual Conference proceedings)

   The objective of this work is to present an initial investigation of the impact the Connected Learning and Integrated Course Knowledge (CLICK) approach has had on students’ motivation, engineering identity, and learning outcomes. CLICK is an approach that leverages Virtual Reality (VR) technology to provide an integrative learning experience in the Industrial Engineering (IE) curriculum. To achieve this integration, the approach aims to leverage VR learning modules to simulate a variety of systems. The VR learning modules offer an immersive experience and provide the context for real-life applications. The virtual simulated system represents a theme to transfer the system concepts and knowledge across multiple IE courses as well as connect the experience with real-world applications. The CLICK approach has the combined effect of immersion and learning-by-doing benefits. In this work, VR learning modules are developed for a simulated manufacturing system. The modules teach the concepts of measures of location and dispersion, which are used in an introductory probability course within the IE curriculum. This work presents the initial results of comparing the motivation, engineering identity, and knowledge gain between a control and an intervention group (i.e., traditional vs. CLICK teaching groups). The CLICK approach group showed greater motivation compared to a traditional teaching group. However, there were no effects on engineering identity and knowledge gain. Nevertheless, it is hypothesized that the VR learning modules will have a positive impact on the students’ motivation, engineering identity, and knowledge gain over the long run and when used across the curriculum. Moreover, IE instructors interested in providing an immersive and integrative learning experience to their students could leverage the VR learning modules developed for this project. 

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4. Multiplayer Physical and Virtual Reality Games for Team-based Manufacturing Simulation

   https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--34989  

   Zhao, R. ; Aqlan, F. ; Elliott, L. ; Baxter, E. ( June 2020 , ASEE Annual Conference proceedings)

   Familiarity with manufacturing environments is an essential aspect for many engineering students. However, such environments in real world often contain expensive equipment making them difficult to recreate in an educational setting. For this reason, simulated physical environments where the process is approximated using scaled-down representations are usually used in education. However, such physical simulations alone may not capture all the details of a real environment. Virtual reality (VR) technology nowadays allows for the creation of fully immersive environments, bringing simulations to the next level. Using rapidly advancing gaming technology, this research paper explores the applicability of creating multiplayer serious games for manufacturing simulation. First, we create and validate a hands-on activity that engages groups of students in the design and assembly of toy cars. Then, a corresponding multiplayer VR game is developed, which allows for the collaboration of multiple VR users in the same virtual environment. With a VR headset and proper infrastructure, a user can participate in a simulation game from any location. This paper explores whether multiplayer VR simulations could be used as an alternative to physical simulations. 

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5. Multiplayer Physical and Virtual Reality Games for Team-based Manufacturing Simulation

   Aqlan, F. ( June 2020 , ASEE Annual Conference proceedings)

   Familiarity with manufacturing environments is an essential aspect for many engineering students. However, such environments in real world often contain expensive equipment making them difficult to recreate in an educational setting. For this reason, simulated physical environments where the process is approximated using scaled-down representations are usually used in education. However, such physical simulations alone may not capture all the details of a real environment. Virtual reality (VR) technology nowadays allows for the creation of fully immersive environments, bringing simulations to the next level. Using rapidly advancing gaming technology, this research paper explores the applicability of creating multiplayer serious games for manufacturing simulation. First, we create and validate a hands-on activity that engages groups of students in the design and assembly of toy cars. Then, a corresponding multiplayer VR game is developed, which allows for the collaboration of multiple VR users in the same virtual environment. With a VR headset and proper infrastructure, a user can participate in a simulation game from any location. This paper explores whether multiplayer VR simulations could be used as an alternative to physical simulations. 

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