FULL PAPER ONLY: Virtual Reality and Extended Reality for training of operators

Abstract: Training on field for operators of confined or suspected polluted environments is very challenging for guaranteeing safety of attendees and adapting the scenarios to many different environments and risks. In this context Inail realized in collaboration with universities, through a call for bid “SIDE - Development of an exoskeleton for simulated dynamics and haptic interface”, a bi-articular robotic system for the upper limb that can be interfaced with virtual or augmented reality systems. This robotic system can physically reproduce "virtual" stresses of force/contact interaction of the upper limb in a controlled virtual environment, simulating human/environment interactions. In this way, the simulation provides real-life experience: the use of tactile sensation offers the perception of physical effort in a confined space under normal operating conditions and in emergency situations. This simulation helps workers to experiment, facilitating accurate learning of relevant knowledge, skills, and emotions. The solution allows operator to wear visors, the wearable robot (think of a backpack to which a haptic robotic limb is connected) and find yourself in a confined space in virtual reality. Patent application no. 102023000023538 has been filed for this system. The scenario reproduced in virtual reality is a hostile environment - for example, a confined and/or suspected pollution environment - in which the worker had to perform a task in a place very hard to reach and/or with a quantity of oxygen - available limited or with a bad air quality. Thanks to the pre-acquired skills in the motor task carried out in VR, it is possible to obtain a fundamental difference in terms of safety. In this paper we will describe the solution focusing on the characteristics of interaction between the reality and the VR scenario.

Keywords: safety, confined space, haptic devices

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005686

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