Proof of Graphic Concepts for Limited Visibility Piloting
Vandana Konda, Stephen F. Food, Harlow C. Landphair and Terry R. Larsen, Texas A&M University, October 1997, 34 pp. (467407-1)
Recent developments in the field of Computer Graphics have resulted in real time simulations that successfully mimic the real world and enhance our perception of it. An important use of this technology lies in creating realistically simulated environments which allow us to study and understand existing conditions to make safe decisions for future courses of action. The closer the simulated environment is to reality, the greater is one’s confidence in making these decisions.
This paper is to describe an Augmented Reality application intended to aid ship navigation in conditions of low visibility. A modeled view of the real world surrounding the ship is projected onto a screen to simulate the view from the bridge of a ship. The movement of the ship is controlled by voice commands, visibility conditions are simulated by manipulating the level of “fog.” A special see-through head mounted display is used to project a wireframe model, augmented world, that overlays the real world. The user’s head movements are tracked to ensure the proper registration of the two worlds. The degree of accuracy of the overlap of both worlds is sufficient to allow the user to establish his orientation and confidently make navigation decisions.
This provides a description of Augmented Reality and its application to this project, a description of the “real-world” simulator, a discussion of the problems associated with Augmented Reality such as calibration, registration, and system latency. The preliminary results obtained from a series of tests are described.
Keywords: Piloting, Visibility, Augmented Reality