Robotic Barrier Positioning for Immersive VR Motion Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VR systems often compromise user immersion due to boundary warnings that are unrelated to the virtual environment, leading to frequent breaks in immersion as users are reminded they are in a VR arrangement rather than fully experiencing the content.
Innovation Solution
A robot platform with movable barrier elements that mimic virtual environment boundaries, using sensors and control systems to adjust its position and orientation to prevent users from interacting with real-world obstacles while enhancing the VR experience by providing a seamless interaction with virtual objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If boundary warnings are provided to users in VR arrangements, then user safety is improved, but user immersion deteriorates due to frequent breaks in immersion from visual or auditory cues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and auditory warning systems with a physical robotic barrier that uses sensors and mechanical structures to prevent users from reaching unsafe boundaries. The robotic barrier physically intercepts user movement before they can access hazardous real-world objects, eliminating the need for immersion-breaking warnings while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic barrier acts as an intermediary between the user and the real-world environment. It stands between the user and potential hazards, using sensors to detect user position and physically blocking access to unsafe areas, thereby providing safety without requiring direct communication with the user that would break immersion.
2Ease of operation
If virtual environment boundaries are defined to match real environment, then user immersion is improved, but user safety deteriorates when users attempt to interact with objects that don't exist in reality
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic barrier is positioned in advance at locations where real-world hazards exist, before users can attempt to interact with unsafe objects. The system proactively prevents access to dangerous areas rather than reacting after a user encounters a hazard, maintaining both immersion and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic barrier applies preliminary anti-action by physically blocking user movement toward unsafe areas before the user can attempt harmful interactions. The barrier detects intended movement patterns and intercepts users before they can reach objects that would cause harm, preventing the harmful action before it can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for restricting user motion using a robot includes a robot comprising one or more barrier elements, a processing unit operable to identify one or more boundaries in a real environment and/or a virtual environment, the boundaries corresponding to a predetermined extent of allowed motion in that environment, and a control unit operable to control the robot such that at least one barrier element is arranged at a position corresponding to one of the identified boundaries.