The virtual reality (VR) industry is experiencing rapid growth, with nearly one in five US consumers using VR in 2020. Although gaming and entertainment have been the main drivers of VR adoption so far, this immersive technology is making its way into other areas of life. Researchers at Brown University and Cornell University are working towards expanding VR usage in professional settings by developing a telepresence robot that responds automatically and in real-time to the movements and gestures made by a remote user in virtual reality.
The team created VRoxy, a controller-less, VR-controlled robotic proxy, to enable hands-on collaboration between remote users and teammates in large spaces. By wearing a VR headset, a user in a remote location can be virtually transported to a physical space where their colleagues are working. The user is represented through a robot, which mirrors their movements in real-time and allows them to interact with colleagues through gestures and facial expressions.
The software program VRoxy addresses some of the common challenges associated with using robot proxies and augmented reality (AR) software for remote collaboration. It allows for mapping multiple physical locations onto a unified virtual space, enhancing the overall collaboration experience. The research paper showcasing VRoxy’s capabilities was presented at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology.
The automatic responsiveness of VRoxy is a key feature that benefits both remote and local teammates. Small movements made by the remote user in the VR space are mapped to larger robot movements in the physical space, facilitating easy navigation in large environments. VRoxy offers different view modes, including live mode for real-time interactions with local collaborators and navigational mode for quicker mobility.
The system simplifies collaboration by automating the robot’s movements, allowing teammates to focus solely on working together. It also captures non-verbal cues, such as head rotation, facial expressions, and pointing gestures, through the VR user’s actions, which are then conveyed by the robot at the remote location.
VRoxy has the potential to revolutionize remote collaboration by enabling users to navigate and collaborate within vast, remote environments from smaller physical spaces. The system can adapt to both stationary and mobile robotic proxies, making it a versatile tool for various professional settings.
FAQ
What is VRoxy?
VRoxy is a system developed by researchers at Brown University and Cornell University that combines virtual reality (VR) and robotics to enable hands-on collaboration between remote users and teammates in large spaces.
How does VRoxy work?
A user in a remote location puts on a VR headset and is virtually transported to a physical space where their colleagues are working. They are represented through a robot, which mirrors their movements and allows them to interact with colleagues through gestures and facial expressions.
What are the benefits of VRoxy?
VRoxy simplifies remote collaboration by automating the robot’s movements, allowing teammates to focus solely on working together. It also captures non-verbal cues, such as head rotation and facial expressions, enhancing the overall collaboration experience.
Can VRoxy be used in different environments?
Yes, VRoxy can adapt to both stationary and mobile robotic proxies, making it a versatile tool for various professional settings. It allows users to navigate and collaborate within vast, remote environments from smaller physical spaces.