Reference number : GC-2017-Q2-00519, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Vachon, François (Université Laval), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for Universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : This Engage project aims to contribute to the enhancement of a virtual reality (VR) system for training_x000D_
interoperability between first responders involved in crisis management and emergency response by_x000D_
implementing natural 3D sound within the StellarX platform. The main premise of VR is to create an alternate_x000D_
reality, but without the right audio cues to match the visuals, the brain does not buy into the illusion. Recent_x000D_
studies indicate that adding 3D sound to a VR environment offers a greater sense of presence, can improve_x000D_
skills acquisition and task performance, and facilitate attention redirection to relevant aspects. Our approach_x000D_
combines experimental psychology and cognitive neuroergonomics to turn OVA's platform StellarX into a_x000D_
powerful training system optimized with natural 3D sound. This will be done by recording a set of sounds that_x000D_
match the virtual environment using a binaural recording technique in order to accurately capture sonic_x000D_
information coming from all directions and produce extremely realistic recordings. In addition, we plan to_x000D_
verify whether the beneficial aspects associated with natural 3D sound in VR can be observed in a joint_x000D_
interoperability-training context. This will be done by assessing the sense of presence, skills acquisition, and_x000D_
task performance, as well as trainees' capacity to redirect attention to relevant 3D sounds. The combination of_x000D_
subjective and objective (behavioral and ocular) metrics to evaluate these benefits represents a key innovation_x000D_
of this project. Results and outcomes will provide an advanced VR training method and a better tool for the_x000D_
formation of staff, thus allowing targeted techniques to be employed to improve individual or team_x000D_
performance. Moreover, this type of training will improve learning since the trainee's sense of presence in the_x000D_
simulation will be maximized through visual and aural immersion and the simulation content can easily be_x000D_
adapted to reflect specific needs. Therefore, this project will positively influence the Canadian technological,_x000D_
financial and education sectors, as well as other areas such as public security, intelligent tutoring and the_x000D_
gaming industry., program purpose french : This Engage project aims to contribute to the enhancement of a virtual reality (VR) system for training_x000D_
interoperability between first responders involved in crisis management and emergency response by_x000D_
implementing natural 3D sound within the StellarX platform. The main premise of VR is to create an alternate_x000D_
reality, but without the right audio cues to match the visuals, the brain does not buy into the illusion. Recent_x000D_
studies indicate that adding 3D sound to a VR environment offers a greater sense of presence, can improve_x000D_
skills acquisition and task performance, and facilitate attention redirection to relevant aspects. Our approach_x000D_
combines experimental psychology and cognitive neuroergonomics to turn OVA's platform StellarX into a_x000D_
powerful training system optimized with natural 3D sound. This will be done by recording a set of sounds that_x000D_
match the virtual environment using a binaural recording technique in order to accurately capture sonic_x000D_
information coming from all directions and produce extremely realistic recordings. In addition, we plan to_x000D_
verify whether the beneficial aspects associated with natural 3D sound in VR can be observed in a joint_x000D_
interoperability-training context. This will be done by assessing the sense of presence, skills acquisition, and_x000D_
task performance, as well as trainees' capacity to redirect attention to relevant 3D sounds. The combination of_x000D_
subjective and objective (behavioral and ocular) metrics to evaluate these benefits represents a key innovation_x000D_
of this project. Results and outcomes will provide an advanced VR training method and a better tool for the_x000D_
formation of staff, thus allowing targeted techniques to be employed to improve individual or team_x000D_
performance. Moreover, this type of training will improve learning since the trainee's sense of presence in the_x000D_
simulation will be maximized through visual and aural immersion and the simulation content can easily be_x000D_
adapted to reflect specific needs. Therefore, this project will positively influence the Canadian technological,_x000D_
financial and education sectors, as well as other areas such as public security, intelligent tutoring and the_x000D_
gaming industry., agreement title english : Maximizing the VR experience : testing new ways to integrate 3D sound and eye-tracking, agreement title french : Maximizing the VR experience : testing new ways to integrate 3D sound and eye-tracking, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 24823.0, agreement start date : 2017-08-23, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada