BeachCAVE

The BeachCAVE lab houses the Visbox VisCube M4 CAVE virtual reality environment that enhances research infrastructure and provides training opportunities for students in multidisciplinary research. This room-size (W 12ft x D 8.5ft x H 10ft) system includes a four-wall projection system, ARTTrack5 real-time motion capture system, and a control software suite that allows customized software development and additional hardware integration. The research activities include a wide range of applications involving human-machine interfaces and human-automation teaming. The system was acquired through NSF Major Research Instrument grant (Award number 1626655).

Decorative
Driving in CAVE VR
Virtual PT

Urban Air Mobility (UAM): UAM refers to a system of passenger and cargo transportation within an urban area that will be supported by a mix of onboard, ground, piloted, and autonomous operations. We utilize the CAVE system to create a virtual airspace for UAM concepts in the city of San Francisco. The virtual aircraft can be operated in real-time manually by a single pilot using a gaming flight control joystick or flown autonomously. Several simulation parameters are configurable to create different experimental scenarios. C2 tactors (Engineering Acoustics, Inc.) have been integrated with the system to provide tactile feedback. The VR simulation provides a flexible testbed to conduct research on various aspects of UAM including concepts of operation, human-automation teaming, vehicle and cockpit design, and passenger experience. 

Driving Simulation: This VR simulation provides a testbed for human factors research involving driving such as situation awareness at different level of autonomy and lane changing tasks.  The simulation includes real-world scenarios that a driver will encounter on urban roads and highways to provide a broad range of test cases. We integrated Logitech G29 racing wheel as the user input device for the simulator. Force feedback is provided in a form of resistance on the steering wheel. The test bench will have the potential to develop and test Automated Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) for autonomous vehicles and collection of data system development and reliability testing.

Physical Therapy (PT) Clinic: A virtual environment was developed with a simulation of a balance perturbation apparatus for posture and response analysis with integrated tactile feedback. The virtual apparatus is situated inside a virtual room that replicates the physical apparatus and the space in the ɫ Physical Therapy Department. The usability and validity of the VR system is being assessed for its effectiveness against the physical set-up. 

  • Vern Battiste, San Jose State University/NASA Ames
  • Emel Demircan, ɫ BME/MAE
  • I-Hung Khoo, ɫ BME/MAE
  • Vennila Krishnan, ɫ Physical Therapy
  • Panadda Marayong, ɫ MAE
  • Praveen Shankar, ɫ MAE
  • Thomas Strybel, ɫ Psychology
  • Kim Vu, ɫ Psychology
  • Will Wu, ɫ Kinesiology

  • J. Cheung, M. Schmitz, T. Strybel, P. Marayong, V. Battiste, S. Ahuja. K. Vu, & P. Shankar, “Development of Android-based messaging application for onboard communication for UAM simulation”, AHFE International Conference (December, 2024). AHFE Open Access, vol 159. AHFE International, USA.
  • T. Strybel, V. Battiste, K. Vu, P. Marayong, S. Ahuja, M. Schmitz, J. Cheung, C. Culver, A. Alfaroarevalo & P. Shankar, “Evaluation of voice vs. text communication modes in simulated UAM operations”, In: Alex, er M. Yemelyanov and Lisa Jo Elliott (eds) Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering. AHFE International Conference (July, 2024). AHFE Open Access, vol 126. AHFE International, USA.
  • K. Haneji, K. Leung, A. Tran, J. Cheung, W. Deabaapilux, P. Marayong, K.L. Vu, P. Shankar, T.Z. Strybel, V. Battiste, “Use of tactile alerts in urban air mobility vehicles”, In: Gesa Praetorius, Charlott Sellberg and Riccardo Patriarca (eds) Human Factors in Transportation. International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics. AHFE Open Access, vol 95, July 2023.
  • P. Shankar, P. Marayong, T. Strybel, V. Battiste, H. Nguyen, J. Cheung, J. Viramontes, "Urban Air   Mobility: Design of a Virtual Reality Testbed and Experiments for Human Factors Evaluation", ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 2022.
  • T. Strybel, V. Battiste, P. Marayong, P. Shankar, J. Viramontes, H. Nguyen, and J. Cheung, "Preliminary validation of a virtual UAM vehicle and simplified cockpit interface", 66th Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, Vol. 66(1), 39-39, 2022.
  • P. Marayong, P. Shankar, J. Wei, H. Nguyen, T. Strybel, and V. Battiste, “Urban Air Mobility system testbed using CAVE virtual reality environment,” IEEE Aerospace Conference, 2020. pp. 1-7.
  • M. Martinez, P. Shankar, P. Marayong, and V. Krishnan, “A virtual physical therapy lab to simulate a balance perturbation assessment setup,” Proceedings of the ASME 2020 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE). Volume 5: Biomedical and Biotechnology.