Software System

Development of a Portable Virtual Reality Driving Interface to Retrain Drivers with Spinal

Cord Injury

Lisa K. Simone, Ph.D. 1, John A. Simone2, Roman Mitura3, Dean Klimchuk3, Maria T. Schultheis, Ph.D.1

1

Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corp (KMRREC), West Orange, NJ.

2

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 3 Digital MediaWorks, Inc., Kanata, Ontario, Canada

Objective Design Current Status

To design and build an accessible Virtual Reality (VR) driving The VR driving simulator is PC-based using 1 or 3 flat screen displays, which can be large or small depending on cost and This unique driving simulator system contains actual driving

simulator to help individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries relearn space issues. The simulator consists of 3 sub systems: Hardware, Interface, and Virtual Environment Software systems. components to provide a realistic driving experience at a lower cost

driving skills in a safe environment. than full car simulators, and is more realistic than desktop models.

Hardware: Virtual Environment Software:

The Interface:

Research goals:

This unique system is:

Evaluate to see if the additional training using VR can reduce the High speed data acquisition

Portable (can be unbolted into 4 manageable pieces)

number of evaluator-led training sessions and increase return to provides real-time position and

Less expensive ($2000 w/o monitors)

driving. switch information to the virtual Realistic: actual steering wheel, turn signals, shifter, hand controls

Development goal: environment software (by Digital Hardware and interface are completed; integration with software in

To create VR driving simulator hardware with adaptive equipment MediaWorks, Inc.) up to once progress

that is low cost, portable, and easily deployable to a wide range of every millisecond. Clinical trials are beginning

sites including rehabilitation centers, doctor s offices and outpatient Commercial Area

facilities.

Digital Inputs

Switch positions available from 3 wiring

Rationale and Requirements harnesses from the steering column.

Ignition switch (Harness C)

Steering wheel From a 1987

Gear shift (Harness B)

Cadillac Deville, with full

Examples of Existing VR Simulators with Turn signal (Harness A)

telescoping and tilt functionality.

hand controls Analog Input Sensors

I Actual Car Simulators

The most common configuration uses an actual car or the front half

Residential/School Area

of a car containing the driver s compartment, appropriate adaptive

equipment, and a large projection screen.

(Ku, J. H., Jang, D. P., et al. (2002). Development and validation of virtual driving simulator for the spinal

injury patient. Cyberpsychol Behav 5(2): 151-6.)

Limitations: Costly, Not portable, Not readily available to all

patients

Linear encoder for each foot pedal (500

Adaptive Equipment Hand

II Desktop Simulators counts per inch on depression) position.

controls for acceleration and

The desktop VR simulator has a hand controls option which is a

braking + spinner knob and tri-pin.

module under the steering wheel that only mimics the mechanical

Highway Area

control of the foot pedals, reducing the realism of the system. US Digital

(Simulator Systems International, Tulsa, OK, and Sim-Drive Canada, Cochrane, Alberta)

USB-based

Data Acquisition

Limitations: Lack of realism

System

Conclusions

3 encoders

Simulators have been used successfully with SCI

4 digital input

Future Directions

Limitations hinder the clinical application and use

signals (turn

signals, gear

shifter, ignition

Requirements for the System Rotary encoder for steering wheel Flexibility for the Future

position (1/3 degree resolution).

switch) The data acquisition interface is reconfigurable; additional analog

Feedback on the design was received from the SCI Consumer

and digital inputs can be easily plugged into the USB interface in

Advisory Board and from 2 focus group sessions (total of 10

order to capture additional physical or physiological parameters

Operation

individuals with SCI) organized for this project.

such as grip force and pedal force.

The VR simulator must meet the following requirements:

Long Term Goals

Clinical We intend to make manufacturing recommendations based on the

The operation of the VR driving simulator is identical to that of a

Ability to measure driving parameters such as steering and brake results of this study to identify the critical hardware configurations

reaction time, range of motion, lane position, speed, and distance real car. that are needed in a final production system.

to obstacles (including collisions).

Very small lag between user input and simulation display update The brake pedal (using the hand controls) is depressed

to avoid simulator sickness. Acknowledgments: Funding provided by The New Jersey

Ignition is turned to start the car

Commission for Spinal Cord Research (NJCSCR) and the Henry H.

Shifter is put into gear

Physical

Kessler Foundation.

Must maintain familiar steering wheel/foot pedal configuration for

realism The software constantly monitors all the hardware parameters. Donations of auto equipment, hand controls, mechanical design, and

Portability (light weight, compact) When the user turns the key, the simulator starts the virtual car labor were received from Price AutoWreckers (Bridgewater, NJ), Drive

Low cost and places it in drive. When the participant accelerates, the Master (Fairfield, NJ), and Spadix Technologies, Inc. (Middlesex, NJ).

Use of clinically recommended adaptive driving equipment virtual car accelerates and the virtual environment reacts to every

Fully adjustable steering wheel/hand control unit (height, tilt, For additional information, please contact Maria T. Schultheis

action that the participant makes.

telescoping functions) (***********@******.***) or Lisa K. Simone (*******@******.***).

Appropriate clearance for wheelchair access

Contact this candidate