Extended Range Telepresence for Evacuation Training in Pedestrian Simulations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel telepresence-based framework for evaluating pedestrian simulations, enabling realistic virtual evacuation training with validated motion data and haptic feedback for emergency preparedness.

Contribution

It presents an innovative use of extended range telepresence as a virtual reality walking simulator for pedestrian simulation validation and emergency training.

Findings

Validated pedestrian simulation data with telepresence motion data

Enhanced evacuation training through haptic feedback

Framework supports realistic large-scale virtual environments

Abstract

In this contribution, we propose a new framework to evaluate pedestrian simula-tions by using Extended Range Telepresence. Telepresence is used as a virtual reality walking simulator, which provides the user with a realistic impression of being present and walking in a virtual environment that is much larger than the real physical environment, in which the user actually walks. The validation of the simulation is performed by comparing motion data of the telepresent user with simulated data at some points of the simulation. The use of haptic feedback from the simulation makes the framework suitable for training in emergency situations.