Development of Customizable Head Mounted Device for Virtual Reality Applications

Abstract

Metaverse is predicted to be the next game changer after artificial intelligence. In this work, we operationally define metaverse applications as virtual reality (VR) applications with possibly multi-modal, multi-user, and multi-sensory inputs. The idea of creating a VR space with a hardware-software co-design system can enhance user interaction. Additionally, the VR based systems interacting in the 3-dimensional environment can be beneficial in addressing the socio-economic reforms currently faced in society. The potential extent that VR systems can be used in medical, educational and defence capabilities is substantial. Such scale can be recorded only if components of VR based systems like head-mounted devices are compliant with standards, and are available to common masses. The road to widespread usage of VR systems is a challenge. Cost, technological capabilities, hardware-software co-design, learning curve, mass adaptation and usability analysis of VR systems are significant issues that need to be addressed. In this thesis, we focus on designing and implementing low-cost, customizable head-mounted devices for Virtual Reality applications. The cost aspect of the head-mounted device is addressed by making it application-specific (using degrees of freedom) and customizable (hardware and software development). As part of this work we studied currently available solutions and compared their sensing capabilities. The outcome resulted in choosing sensors based on the type of locomotion involved in the application and finalizing the hardware schematic. We further designed and fabricated the prototype to address VR applications with 3 degrees of freedom (roll, pitch and yaw). The application used to validate the prototype lies in Optometry domain. We propose a head-mounted device named CHORD (Customizable Head-mounted device for Occular disoRder Detection) to detect visual acuity disorders using VR applications. CHORD uses a standalone system with customizable VR scenes to detect myopic vision, astigmatism, colour vision deficiency and age-related macular degeneration. The product is validated using an empirical study with results showing an average accuracy of 85% in the tests conducted.