Accessibility simulator in VR-environment
Virtanen, Peter (2019)
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019100719633
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019100719633
Tiivistelmä
Accessibility requirements are often met on paper but in practice, some problems may still occur. The purpose of this thesis was to create a simulator, that allows testing different environments accessibility issues in virtual reality. The simulator is intended to work as a testing tool that can help to test buildings and its accessibility before the building is constructed. This thesis goes through subjects like human resources, hard-ware and technical requirements, that are needed to create this simulator.
Testing is done in a virtual reality environment with a wheelchair. Virtual wheelchair reacts to the environment like a real wheelchair. Environments that are used for this simulator must be placed precisely. Every threshold, door and doorknob must be in right place to make test results of this simulator valid. The thesis also discusses the problems and demands that are faced when modelling extensive environments like shopping centers or school buildings.
Virtual reality can be very immersive, and this thesis undergoes what factors make the virtual reality experience immersive. The simulator is required to be immersive to make the test experience memorable. A memorable experience is much more personal than a simple test report.
This accessibility simulator was a big enthusiastic project that gathered a lot of infor-mation about how to create such a simulator. With the background work done, it is now easy to continue the development towards the essential production stage. Demos that were made for this project can work as a proof of the concept but should not be used as a base for the production version of the accessibility simulator.
Next phase of the development is to make a working prototype and test it in a collaboration with accessibility professionals. Prototype of an accessibility simulator needs to be tested with a real-world counterpart of an environment like a shopping center. According to test results with the prototype, it may be developed further towards the first public release.
Testing is done in a virtual reality environment with a wheelchair. Virtual wheelchair reacts to the environment like a real wheelchair. Environments that are used for this simulator must be placed precisely. Every threshold, door and doorknob must be in right place to make test results of this simulator valid. The thesis also discusses the problems and demands that are faced when modelling extensive environments like shopping centers or school buildings.
Virtual reality can be very immersive, and this thesis undergoes what factors make the virtual reality experience immersive. The simulator is required to be immersive to make the test experience memorable. A memorable experience is much more personal than a simple test report.
This accessibility simulator was a big enthusiastic project that gathered a lot of infor-mation about how to create such a simulator. With the background work done, it is now easy to continue the development towards the essential production stage. Demos that were made for this project can work as a proof of the concept but should not be used as a base for the production version of the accessibility simulator.
Next phase of the development is to make a working prototype and test it in a collaboration with accessibility professionals. Prototype of an accessibility simulator needs to be tested with a real-world counterpart of an environment like a shopping center. According to test results with the prototype, it may be developed further towards the first public release.