Enhancing sensory perception and balance control in HMD-based VR. This project seeks to test a revolutionary new theoretical framework for understanding how we perceive our self-motion and maintain postural control when immersed in head-mounted display (HMD) virtual reality (VR). Photorealistic graphical simulations and artificial vestibular stimulation will be used to investigate how visual and non-visual information concerning self-motion is integrated in the brain. The outcomes will reveal ho ....Enhancing sensory perception and balance control in HMD-based VR. This project seeks to test a revolutionary new theoretical framework for understanding how we perceive our self-motion and maintain postural control when immersed in head-mounted display (HMD) virtual reality (VR). Photorealistic graphical simulations and artificial vestibular stimulation will be used to investigate how visual and non-visual information concerning self-motion is integrated in the brain. The outcomes will reveal how multisensory interaction influences our sensory perception and postural control during HMD VR. The knowledge gained is expected to generate new economic benefits by inspiring next-generation technologies that will optimise users' immersive experiences (e.g., virtual exploration and immersive gaming).Read moreRead less
ISim - a realistic intubation simulator using Virtual Reality technology. Simulation training has been adopted widely in aerospace, nuclear power and the military, but simulation in medicine has a relatively short history. This research will drive Australia to the forefront of the medical simulation industry. Effective management and treatment of patients is a priority in health care. Medical resources are required to ensure that staff are trained efficiently and effectively on critical medical ....ISim - a realistic intubation simulator using Virtual Reality technology. Simulation training has been adopted widely in aerospace, nuclear power and the military, but simulation in medicine has a relatively short history. This research will drive Australia to the forefront of the medical simulation industry. Effective management and treatment of patients is a priority in health care. Medical resources are required to ensure that staff are trained efficiently and effectively on critical medical procedures. The high growth of claims for medical accidents and the accompanying rise in medical insurance adds to the impetus for major hospitals to demonstrate they are using advanced methods for training. The community will benefit from better-trained medical staff, and a better standard of healthcare. Read moreRead less
Ostracism and Aggression. Ostracism has been implicated in school shootings (e.g., Columbine) and other violent or anti-social episodes (e.g., Port Arthur shootings). Some argue that ostracism drives individuals toward joining violent extremist groups. Research, however, is mixed: sometimes targets of ostracism correct their behaviors to be more socially acceptable; whereas other times they react with aggression. This research program will investigate the conditions under which ostracism either ....Ostracism and Aggression. Ostracism has been implicated in school shootings (e.g., Columbine) and other violent or anti-social episodes (e.g., Port Arthur shootings). Some argue that ostracism drives individuals toward joining violent extremist groups. Research, however, is mixed: sometimes targets of ostracism correct their behaviors to be more socially acceptable; whereas other times they react with aggression. This research program will investigate the conditions under which ostracism either leads to paths of either pro-social or aggressive reactions. A new virtual reality paradigm will be developed to provide stronger manipulations of ostracism and to assist in discovering the crucial conditions responsible for these paths.Read moreRead less
Design in Context: Augmented Reality Technology to Improve the Quality and Performance of Architecture. This project will develop tools and knowledge to assess and improve the environmental performance and visual impact of design proposals prior to construction. The design simulation technology proposed here will allow stakeholders to concurrently test socio-cultural and functional performance over time, will allow more informed decision making and make a significant contribution to the social, ....Design in Context: Augmented Reality Technology to Improve the Quality and Performance of Architecture. This project will develop tools and knowledge to assess and improve the environmental performance and visual impact of design proposals prior to construction. The design simulation technology proposed here will allow stakeholders to concurrently test socio-cultural and functional performance over time, will allow more informed decision making and make a significant contribution to the social, cultural and economic life of Australia. The augmented reality technology to be developed in this project also has significant potential for applications in other domains and industries such as landscape and parks management.Read moreRead less
Real-time special effects in live video. Allowing a user to model objects in the real world in real time greatly improves the efficiency of the large-scale modelling process. A user might thus generate a model of a city block by navigating it it, construct a 3D model of a factory by traversing it, generate a simulation of an industrial process by carrying it out, or design a new building directly upon the space it will occupy. The augmentation of reality will be a critical component of the fut ....Real-time special effects in live video. Allowing a user to model objects in the real world in real time greatly improves the efficiency of the large-scale modelling process. A user might thus generate a model of a city block by navigating it it, construct a 3D model of a factory by traversing it, generate a simulation of an industrial process by carrying it out, or design a new building directly upon the space it will occupy. The augmentation of reality will be a critical component of the future of video cameras, computers and phones. The business opportunities associated with developing technologies in these areas offer significant prospects for Australian ICT industries.Read moreRead less
Variation and Perceptual Ecologies in Computer Games and Simulations: Towards a Generic Model of Variable 3D Environments. The non repeatability is a key element in providing a challenging and interesting experience in computer games and simulations. However, too much variation could lead to a rejection of the environment and reluctance to accept the premise as a base for game play or training. Examples of applications that could utilise this research include; (a) Computer Games - always playing ....Variation and Perceptual Ecologies in Computer Games and Simulations: Towards a Generic Model of Variable 3D Environments. The non repeatability is a key element in providing a challenging and interesting experience in computer games and simulations. However, too much variation could lead to a rejection of the environment and reluctance to accept the premise as a base for game play or training. Examples of applications that could utilise this research include; (a) Computer Games - always playing in an unknown environment, (b) Vocational Training - a Forest Fire Fighting simulation that allows for different terrain configurations, undergrowth volatility, fire source, etc., and (c) Military Simulations - Anti-terrorist simulations where the level of variability will manifest itself both in the physical environment and in the nature of the combatants. Read moreRead less
Mapping ear morphology to individualised three dimensional audio. The project aims to develop a practical method to derive a listener's individualised Head Related Transfer Functions from two dimensional images of the head and ears. These are essential for generating high-fidelity three dimensional audio. The project will perceptually evaluate and test the proposed system when applied to teleconferencing, surveillance, and navigational guidance.
QUA:Queensland digital Ultra-Atlas. This project aims to design and develop a digital ultra-atlas of Queensland which integrates the capabilities of GIS(geographical information system) with interactive 4D graphical modelling,knowledge extraction and context-based query and retrieval. This ultra-atlas would allow users to discover knowledge on natural resources,cultural characteristics and historical changes,as well as simulating different effects by providing advanced search capabilities and en ....QUA:Queensland digital Ultra-Atlas. This project aims to design and develop a digital ultra-atlas of Queensland which integrates the capabilities of GIS(geographical information system) with interactive 4D graphical modelling,knowledge extraction and context-based query and retrieval. This ultra-atlas would allow users to discover knowledge on natural resources,cultural characteristics and historical changes,as well as simulating different effects by providing advanced search capabilities and engaging display of spatial and thematically-linked data. Such an ultra-atlas would have enormous impact on facilitating strategic planning and performance in many applications(e.g fire control,environment and urban planning).Read moreRead less
Motherese by ear and eye: infant perception of visual prosody. The project breaks new ground in auditory-visual speech processing by using naturally expressive continuous speech to probe how infants perceive visual prosody. A strength of the project lies in its use of breakthrough animation technologies to create a state-of-the-art virtual Talking Mother to enable control of visual speech cues.
Landscape and Memory: the West Coast of Victoria. The application is for an APAI PhD, located within a wider plan by Deakin University and Experimenta Media Arts to develop an interactive mode of analysis of landscape and design of civic spaces across the west coast and hinterland regions in Victoria. The project will locate development and regional cultural understanding within an enriched historical perspective, drawing on cross-disciplinary research and using digital animation in particular ....Landscape and Memory: the West Coast of Victoria. The application is for an APAI PhD, located within a wider plan by Deakin University and Experimenta Media Arts to develop an interactive mode of analysis of landscape and design of civic spaces across the west coast and hinterland regions in Victoria. The project will locate development and regional cultural understanding within an enriched historical perspective, drawing on cross-disciplinary research and using digital animation in particular to display the 'presence of the past in the present', to explore and promote distinctive and sustainable modes of living, and to construct visual hypotheses for environmental and cultural development in each area.Read moreRead less