Virtual Reality Platform for Interactive, Inhabited Virtual Worlds / VR platform til interaktive, beboede verdener

To construct interactive virtual worlds a software platform is needed to 1) simulate and maintain a dynamic 3D model of a scenario, 2) present this simulated world for users using computer graphics and audio, and 3) provide one or more users with interaction facilities. In conjunction with past projects on interactive, inhabited virtual worlds (the STAGING and PUPPET projects) CVMT has designed and developed such a Virtual Reality platform. The platform supports arbitrary scenarios where computer controlled characters and humans interact. Such computer-controlled characters are called Autonomous Agents, or simply agents. The user can freely navigate within this virtual world, which the software platform visualises in real-time on a computer screen (or in either of the VR MediaLab's VR arenas). The platform also enables the autonomous agents to move around (supported by path planning), play animations, utter recorded sounds, and change facial expressions. In this way agents can communicate themselves to, and interact with, other agents or the user(s). The platform also enables agents to continuously sense the virtual world, i.e., the agents have simulated vision, audio and tactile senses. A special aspect of CVMT's VR platform is that it supports the user in being represented by an avatar (an agent controlled by the user) in the virtual world. This allows the user to interact with the virtual world and its inhabitants on equal terms with the agents. The platform features unique sound related interaction possibilities for the user. For example the user can communicate with the autonomous agents using sound (the agents can 'hear' the user through a microphone), and the user can record the sounds he/she wants the agents to use in particular situations. (Claus B. Madsen, Erik Granum)