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Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for Defence
SFU delivers innovation in immersive technologies.
Augmented and Virtual Reality are among the emerging technologies that are already revolutionizing the defence industry. Delivering advances in visual computing, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality enables defence forces to better visualize operations, understand changing threat environments and analyze complex systems.
As Canada’s engaged university, Simon Fraser University is defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research and far-reaching community engagement. SFU is expanding the applications of immersive technologies that contribute to improved situational awareness in different theatres of operation for our partners.
SFU Strengths
Lowering barriers to AR/VR.
Designing believable VR environments often requires costly and cumbersome motion platforms or free-space walking areas. SFU professor of Interactive Arts and Technology Bernhard Riecke is addressing common limitations of current VR experiences including motion sickness and disorientation. Riecke’s iSpace lab is designing interfaces that provide enough physical motion cues to counteract these effects. These advances improve tele-robotics interfaces, making it easier to explore remote, hard-to-reach or dangerous environments, protecting humans in hazardous or problematic spaces.
On-demand learning environments.
The Centre for Digital Media, an SFU partnership with other British Columbia public post-secondary institutions, is leveraging Microsoft’s HoloLens to support mixed reality teaching experiences in aerospace engineering. By creating novel ways to learn complex engineering and safety procedures, SFU is developing immersive learning environments that otherwise would be too high-risk or high-cost in the real world.
Improving tele-robotics accuracy.
SFU professor of Engineering Science Shahram Payandeh is developing innovative haptic feedback interfaces for tele-operations using VR. The improved physical feedback offers more nuance for tele-operations, improving the accuracy of tele-robotics in dangerous situations where high-levels of dexterity and information perception are needed.
Creating better AR/VR user interfaces.
Most 3D user interfaces are more difficult to use when compared to their 2D counterparts. SFU professor of Interactive Arts and Technology Wolfgang Stuerzlinger is taking a human-centric approach to developing AR/VR interfaces. His research investigates how to make AR/VR more reliable for human input, a common challenge for emerging technologies. The goal is to allow for easier, faster, more reliable and accessible immersive interactions.
Developing new expertise.
SFU is training the next generation of talent through programs such as the Professional Masters in Computer Science, which has specializations in each of Visual Computing, Cybersecurity and Big Data. Innovative programs are also offered by the School of Interactive Arts and Technology which examine design, analysis and human computer interaction providing expertise essential to the defence industry.
