Cruden is proud to be demonstrating innovative driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulation technology at the 21st Driving Simulation & Virtual Reality Conference & Exhibition (DSC 2022), which takes place in Strasbourg, France on September 14-16.
Exhibition visitors can look forward to experiencing a demonstration prepared by Cruden and LED video wall specialist, Barco that shows the impact on the visual distance perception in a 3D-stereo simulator visual system when you change the individual interpapillary distances (IPD) parameters used for the image generation process.
Correct stereoscopic disparity on the screen is proportional to the IPD – the distance between the simulator driver’s eye pupils – so realistic distance perception can only be realized in a 3D-stereo visual system if the individual IPD and individual eye point height are measured and used as parameters for the image generation and presentation process. And because speed perception is the change in distance perception over time, realistic speed perception can only be achieved if a realistic distance perception is guaranteed.
The demo is based on a paper by H.-P. Schoener et al that will be presented in the Scientific Paper Session at DSC 2022, called Verification of Stereoscopic Projection Systems. Although previous research has explored the consequences of incorrect IPD for distance perception and individual IPD-setting has been applied by several DIL simulator users, the concept is not well known and there is no widely used and certified system for setting stereoscopy correctly. There is still a clear need in the industry for such a system, as proposed by Schoener and his colleagues.
A key finding of the paper is that in a projection with a larger IPD than the actual viewer's IPD, there is an object distance limit above which the viewer would need to use diverging eyes in order to have a correct physiological representation of the two projected stereoscopic pictures on their retina – something that is never necessary when viewing scenes in the real world. This led the authors to conclude that the physiological sensation of convergence of the eyes has an even bigger impact on absolute distance perception in virtual than in real world.
The good news is that adjusting the IPD parameters is an easy-to-realize solution to the problem. During the demo at DSC 2022, the IPD parameters used for the simulator’s image generation process will be modified online so that the impact on the visual perception of the displayed scenery can be clearly observed. It’s one example of how relatively small enhancements to a visual system can have a big impact on the immersion in a simulator – and how increasing immersion does not always require a large financial outlay.
Integrating this approach into driving simulators leads to a higher degree of realism, thus enabling more valid and comparable results, for the whole spectrum of simulator applications – from vehicle development to driver behavior or driver training.
Cruden’s sales manager for Automotive & Motorsport, Dennis Marcus, will also be presenting an ‘industrial pitch’ session in the Conference. You can catch Dennis’s talk, which is entitled The impact of system integration on driving simulator immersion, at 4.05pm on Thursday, September 15.
For the full Conference program, head to https://dsc2022.org/program/. We hope to see you there!
For more information, please contact Dennis Marcus via d.marcus@cruden.com or on +31 20 707 4646.
