Virtual menuing interfaces based on their 2D desktop counterparts require menu-item search, acquisition, and then selection. In such systems there is a common problem of fatigue that occurs due to prolonged raising of the user's arm to make menu selections. GDI can be used to greatly reduce this problem by reducing the number of operations requiring arm movements. Preliminary feedback from users seems to empirically confirm the effectiveness of the visor. In addition to the visor, a speaker-independent speech recognition system is provided to supplement visor menu selection.
Audio feedback is used to confirm visor menu selections and speech commands.
Speech recognition was found to be, in general, quicker and easier to use than the visor or previous experimental menu systems. However, the visor is still necessary for situations where excessive noise levels render speech recognition unreliable. Octmods are designed to automatically provide connectivity to control lights and networking between modules. The virtual Integration Testbed room consisted of a number of Octmods, a CAVE, and an ImmersaDesk. During Supercomputing '95 participants at the San Diego convention center and at ARPA were able to collaborate in manipulating the components of the room to redesign its layout.