Virtual Reality
VR technology can freely reproduce environments and situations that are difficult to recreate in real life and can be used to explore unknown experiences and phenomena. It can be used in various fields, including information, engineering, medicine, and education. It has excellent potential for discoveries and applications. Here, we introduce the cutting-edge research being conducted at the University of Hyogo using VR.
Experience" numerical data; visualization technology using VR
Nobuaki Ohno
Professor, School of Social Information Science
Simulation data computed by supercomputers are used in various fields that benefit our daily lives, such as predicting the path of typhoons and simulating earthquakes. I am conducting research on visualizing large-scale numerical data from such simulations using VR technology and 3D images.
For example, I simulate typhoons and movements of the earth's interior in earth science and display them as 3D images. In infusion science, I visualize the pressure and flow of plasma (ionized gas) in 3D to help researchers understand it more intuitively.
This research aims to expand research possibilities by enabling researchers to analyze simulation results more intuitively and clearly. Especially in plasma simulation, huge amounts of numerical data are produced, which are difficult to grasp with 2D graphs and color maps.
By using 3D visualization technology, it is possible to understand data that used to be difficult to grasp intuitively. This technology is also expected to be applied to the field of education. If functions and physical phenomena can be shown in 3D in math and physics classes, students will not only deepen their understanding, but they will also be able to learn in a fun, game-like manner.
On the other hand, this technology also has its challenges: one is the difficulty of creating images that are intuitive and easy to use for researchers. Since the viewpoints of the creator and the user differ, it is necessary to constantly consider what kinds of expressions are "easy to understand.
Another is the dissemination problem: although the cost of VR equipment has decreased, it is still not accessible to all researchers.
Therefore, I must find a way to use such equipmen in any environment. I will work hard to overcome these issues so that this technology can be used in more fields in the future.
Expanding Research
Japan’s first initiative to prevent accidents when driving in an emergency
Hirotake Yamazoe
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering
In collaboration with the Himeji Fire Bureau, we are developing a VR driving simulator that replicates emergency driving scenarios and conducting research on safe driving education using the system. Traffic accidents involving emergency vehicles can have serious social consequences, such as further endangering patients who are being transported and diminishing public trust in emergency services. Although various measures have been implemented to prevent such accidents, the decrease in veteran personnel and the increase in emergency dispatches have made it difficult to significantly reduce their occurrence. Moreover, practical training on emergency driving is challenging to conduct on actual roads. Therefore, we aim to establish an effective training program by utilizing VR. To date, we have installed the developed simulator at a fire station and conducted demonstration experiments in which personnel experienced emergency driving in VR. During these sessions, we recorded driving behaviors and are comparing those of novice and veteran drivers. Several behavioral patterns have been observed, for example, veteran drivers tend to check both directions repeatedly when passing through intersections. Moving forward, we aim to develop effective safety education programs for emergency driving that take advantage of these behavioral differences.
The next generation of medical learning is here
Takafumi Katayama
Professor, College of Nursing Art and Science
Medical and nursing educational practices utilizing VR and 3D technologies have been spreading in recent years. At the University of Hyogo, a portion of the Academic Information Center was renovated into a VR corner to allow students of the School of Nursing to use 3D educational materials. This has enabled students to understand anatomical positioning in three dimensions compared to textbook-centered learning. For example, by utilizing 3D printed objects, students can hold and learn about the structure of human body in their hands. Also, converting CT and MRI images into 3D makes explainations to patients easier to understand. If introduced into electronic medical records, more detailed and easier-to-understand medical information can be provided. These technologies will bring many benefits not only to nurses but also to patients. They will become essential skills for the future of healthcare. I will continue to provide nursing students with more opportunities to experience the latest technologies. I will work to improve the VR environment and expand the scope of its use.
Focus on Person
Future research environment updated with VR
Data has become an indispensable part of our research activities. I am currently researching the use of VR to visualize this data. In particular, I am working on implementing volume rendering, which is used to display CT and MRI images, clouds, etc., in VOIR, a simulation result visualization software for head-mounted displays. By lowering the hurdles for 3D simulation, I would like to contribute to the development of a wide range of research.
Future research environment updated with VR
Yuma Kawachi
4th year student, School of Social Information Science
Simulating and analyzing emergency driving in VR
A simulator has been developed to experience driving a fire truck in an emergency by VR, and to analyze the driving behavior of fire department personnel. The simulator reproduces hazardous responses at intersections and crosswalks and has four different scenarios for day and night. Interviews were conducted with fire station personnel to determine the driver's seat position, the sound of sirens and radios inside the vehicle, and the traffic congestion when a fire truck is approaching. In the future, I hope to develop a system with driving evaluation and replay functions to help reduce the risk of accidents during emergency driving.
Simulating and analyzing emergency driving in VR
Taichi Komura
4th year student, School of Engineering