Exploring the XR Frontier: Development and Research Insights
October 6th, 2023
On October 5th we had our 3rd contact moment of the TETRA ExperienceTwin project which was dedicated to a captivating exploration of XR development and groundbreaking research in the world of science. Our day was filled with workshops and scientific insights.
Our day kicked off with Dennis Osei Tutu, who provided an introduction to VR development software. He then dived into Unity and Unreal game engines, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. Plug-in management became a key focus, setting the stage for Jamil Joundi’s deep dive into commonly used packages.
Sam Van de Walle and Siemon Verreyken took the reins for a practical tutorial, guiding us through the creation of VR scenes in both Unreal and Unity. This practical approach highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each game engine. Participants had the opportunity to create their sample scenes and experience them in VR, turning theory into reality.
The second part of the day focused on research updates from imec-mict-UGent and HITLAB. Jonas De Bruyne shared his insights into the theory-informed, evidence-based approach of improving XR training. Visual nudges in XR training applications were unveiled as a powerful tool. Aleksandra Zheleva demonstrated how electrodermal activity (EDA) data can help understand stress behavior in VR, showcasing promising results. Laetitia De Leersnijder examined methods to detect robophobia in VR, exploring the use of physiological signals like EDA, heart rate data, and respiration data. Sam Van de Walle concluded the session by discussing HITLAB's progress in data logging using XR devices. The focus was on enhancing usability and user experience, bringing us one step closer to seamless XR data handling.
To wrap up the day, we followed tradition with a reception and networking event on the terraces of The Penta at Kortrijk. Here, connections were made, ideas exchanged, and horizons expanded.
In the world of XR and science, each day offers exciting opportunities for discovery and innovation. We hope you've enjoyed this immersive journey with us, and we look forward to seeing you on April 4th during our next contact moment!