Customer Applications

CLARUS VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY DEMONSTRATOR

Clarus AB has created an application in collaboration with BMW to demonstrate and study virtual assembly. The demonstrator uses two 5th Gloves, an HMD and Paradigm Simulations Vega software along with the Vega-VR module from Clarus.

Three models are imported from CAD data: a car door, a window regulator and a door lock. The regulator and the lock are to be assembled with the door. This is all done in real time in the demonstrator with a simple collision detection algorithm. The parts snap to their correct places when they are within a predefined distance from their correct positions. The objects can be picked up with both hands, and a few gestures are possible to trigger actions.

Pointing with the right hand will let the user move around without having to physically walk. Pointing with the left hand will bring up a 3D menu. There are some basic options: 1. Change "graphics" (textures on/off, scale LOD switch, etc.) 2. Record/play the path of an object. This enables you to later look at and edit the assembly path. 3. Move virtual cameras. You can bring up one additional view in the upper right corner of the screen. This view is controlled by one of three virtual cameras having a geometric representation. You choose one of the three cameras to be active via the menu. Then simply move it around (grasping it with one of your hands) and the view will change accordingly. 4. Create an envelope around one of the moving objects. (For space reservation studies.)

The menu is located with the left hand, and by pointing with the right hand, you select a menu alternative.

The 5th Glove will also be supported in a new module called Clarus Interactive giving the ability to define different gestures and connect them to specified actions without programming.

MOTOROLA UNIVERSITY VIRTUAL TRAINER

Motorola University has demonstrated that using virtual reality to simulate training on a robotics manufacturing line has the potential to save tens of thousands of dollars over traditional hands-on experience in an instructor-led environment.

Using a standard 66MHz Pentium computer, VR software from Superscape and a CyberEye head-mounted display from General Reality Company, Adams Consulting set out to model a virtual duplicate of Motorola's Pager Robotic Assembly Line in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Three training groups of seven students each were trained to perform various tasks. Each group was taught by the same Master Instructor. Everyone had the same classroom instruction. The two VR groups each had 20 minutes of navigation instruction and familiarisation, so they could move easily in the virtual lab.

The control group spent one hour in the real lab. With the help of job aid checklists, they worked through the procedures on the real equipment. The instructor was nearby to answer questions. The Desktop VR group used the virtual lab, which they saw on monitors, and used a 2D mouse for navigation. The HMD VR group used the same virtual lab, but saw it in their HMD's. They also navigated using 2D mice. The VR groups also had one hour for learning in the virtual lab, with an instructor and checklists. Following the familiarisation time, each person individually went into the real lab, and without the checklists performed the procedures under the eye of the instructor. Each student was graded on the number of errors and missed steps.

Results of the testing showed that the VR Groups spent more time on any given training task. They were also more focused, using as a measure the nearly complete lack of conversation among the VR Groups' members. There were three perfect scores: two in the HMD VR Group, one in the Desktop VR Group, and none in the class that was trained using the actual manufacturing line itself. The HMD VR Group had essentially no errors, and scored in the 80th percentile of all students. The total number of errors possible is in the hundreds.

More testing with a larger sample group is under way and results will be evaluated with this larger sample to determine if the preliminary results hold up. If so, Motorola will deploy virtual labs throughout the company, modularising and customising them for each particular work situation. Contact General Reality Company for more information.