Biomechanical and Physiological Validation of the Omni-Directional Treadmill Upgrade as a Mobility Platform for Immersive Environments

Abstract : Technological advances in computer graphics combined with the development of large rearprojection surround displays have enabled the creation of virtual environments that visually immerse the user into a sense of real-world presence. Integration of these visual displays with a mobility interface that enables the user to move through the virtual environment provides instrumentation for more interactive applications. The mobility interface can be as simple and abstract as a mouse or a joystick. However, given their inability to provide appropriate effects on the user from the physical workload of traversing terrain and their distraction from the psychosomatic immersion into the environment, these interfaces may not be adequate for applications that require or benefit from natural human locomotion through the three dimensional (3-D) environments. A simulation environment that provides a realistic perception of movement and the effects of fatigue would enhance the U.S. Army s ability to gain insight into the physical, physiological, and cognitive processes of dismounted Soldiers when placed in demanding, stressful operational situations. It would provide a means to explore new operational tactics or equipment concepts in a highly configurable, repeatable, and safe manner and to collect data that would be difficult or impossible to gather from real-world exercises.