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Applications of Sansar for the physically very restricted

Carl Fravel

August 02, 2017 19:14

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Let's think about doing some projects combining Sansar with probably some new controller types, such that those who are bedbound or mostly paralyyzed would be able to have a rich social & work life. There are many great examples of this,  to a certain level, with Second Life. Sansar and VR experience/controllers should make it possible to go to a much higher level.

Who has knowledge of, or interest in, identifying existing tech, or making new tech, to do this?

One example that comes to mind is something like the the mi.mu gloves http://mimugloves.com/, which can be programmed to put out signals equivalent to game or touch controllors. If that seems like a good direction, I can reach out to that team through my daughter, Kelly Snook, who has been involved with their creation and applications.

What about the controllers that are used by those in wheelchairs?   Could enable Stephen Hawkings, or others seriously physically restricted, to act in VR?

Maybe others have great ideas...

 

 

 

14 comments

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  Agustine August 02, 2017 19:25

  ..other examples are USB  foot controllers for those who cannot use their hands well...or even arm, elbow controllers... I think customizeable keymapping in the sansar client can make those possibilities start happening... even support for kinect...

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  Carl Fravel August 02, 2017 19:48

  I'm thinking that to get started it might not even need any tweaking of the Sansar client, if the controller can be programmed to send the right things to the client, as if it were acting ths same as some existing Sansar controller support -- VR touch controllers, XBox 360 controller, keyboard/mouse.  Some external controllers allow that mapping in the controller rather than requiring the app to be modfied.   I did set up the ability to use the .mi.mu gloves, and least in a crude way, to get around in SL, by having them pretend to send the right mouse and kb input.   Would need a lot of refinement.

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  MB Robonaught August 02, 2017 20:11

  In Sansar, the biggest issue I face myself is the difficulty I have operating the Rift controller, or any controller, buttons due to hand nerve damage. Other input style controllers need to be developed for those with finger control limitations. Adapting the newer input systems used by amputees in their prosthetic's could be a possible route, at least until a way to read the mind is created(it is coming).  

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  Agustine August 02, 2017 20:17

  Am actually working with one hand only...my right hand is badly stiff but still push buttons with it.. if needed, would get foot controllers..lol

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  Galen August 02, 2017 20:18

  This is one area where SL is the obvious better choice and has been from its beginning. It is very keyboard and text friendly, which enables lots of alternative inputs and outputs. This also enabled language translation that will be much more difficult with voice, too.

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  Scott Nebeker August 02, 2017 20:44

  One of the driving forces in my life right now is exactly this type of thing. I'll give an example from this weekend:

  I tagged-along with an airshow pilot to the Tri-Cities Airshow in Washington state. This is the pertinent part of our text-conversation once I got back and started reviewing videos/photos:

  "One very important thing that'll save me a LOT of time and effort this week (which is a busy one). What is your 'why' for all of this.

  MY 'why' is to take commercially available, consumer grade cameras and show people the world in ways they normally can't or are normally impossible.

  Perfect example from the weekend:

  Guy in a wheelchair hanging around your aircraft. I approached and his buddy climbed down looking all guilty.

  I disregarded the buddy and went straight to the guy in the wheelchair, pulled-up the Street View shots I did of the aircraft on my phone and handed it to him.

  His buddy was enthused and loud but the guy in the wheelchair (who had my phone) was in complete awe. I could see that he was protecting his "masculinity" when he thanked me with a shaky voice while giving me the phone back."

  --------------------

  There's real power in what you're talking about. I've written this in many places:

  "Regardless of location, VR helps us care for the dreamers and share empathy with those that need it.

  --With Virtual Reality, we can help. If we can, we must."
  --------------------

  So I'll offer this to you. Point me in the direction you are aiming for and pull the trigger. This is your baby, I don't want credit.

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  Scott Nebeker August 02, 2017 20:50

  The image referenced is here: https://goo.gl/photos/VHBetZ9S25a8ae7n7

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  Agustine August 02, 2017 21:06

  ..VERY NICE STORY Scott! EMPOWERING! 

  Edited by Agustine August 02, 2017 21:06
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  Carl Fravel August 02, 2017 21:14

  Yeah, fantastic story.  Stories like this is what create the "aha" for people about the power of new things.  thank you.

  Did you take that cockpit picture? If so, what camera/lens did you use? Our smartphones have a lot of resolution, but the restrictions on what you can do are the lenses.  
  
  I find that a really large panorama picture can give a 360 'feel' if you zoom in anough, and the just pan around on the picture.  
  
  Was this the picture you showed him?   Curious the Street View reference above.  Was that figurative, because of similarity to Google Street View experience?   
  
  THanks again for the great story.  You might want to share it with Draxtor Despres.  He could documentarize it for others to get the 'aha'.   If you don't already know his work, take a look on YouTube, world makers series.

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  MB Robonaught August 02, 2017 22:45

  Scott just imagine in the near future where your new friend can experience the flight as if he was really there through vr :) An older person that is bedridden will be able to be 20 again. A person that many call different can blend into a crowd. Be seen as normal and no different than anyone else.

  Many fail to realize just how life changing SL an Sansar is. That it can be a literal lifesaver to some that feel they have nothing left. I know cause I was one.

  Edited by MB Robonaught August 02, 2017 22:46
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  Eme Capalini August 02, 2017 23:06

  Hi Carl,

  I work for Virtual Ability, Inc. We are a disability support and community and have been assisting people with disabilities in SL for 10 years. You can find out more about us here:

  www.VirtualAbility.org

  We have community members who would love to help get Sansar accessible to as many folks as possible. Please contact our founder, Gentle Heron or me (Eme Capalini) in SL or you can email us at info@virtualability.org 

   

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  Scott Nebeker August 03, 2017 02:37

  MB Robonaught. I've done that very thing. Multiple times.

  This is from the weekend: https://youtu.be/I4vFk459AL0

  Skip to about 9:30 for the actual performance. It's not 3D yet but will be tomorrow.

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  cosmoi August 03, 2017 03:56

  I know that some open source eye tracking technology has been used to help the paralyzed to control computers and wheelchairs, so eye tracking should be able to be applied to VR navigation as well.

  In addition, eye tracking has already be used in some VR HMD, for foveated rendering.

   

   

   

   

   

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  Scott Nebeker August 03, 2017 06:08

  Carl!!! I missed your questions.

  Yes, that is the shot I showed him and it's of the same aircraft he was next to. In a sense, he got a better view than his friend did. As for my use of the term "Street View," yes I'm using it in the proper context. I've been a contractor with Google Maps for going on five years.

  The shot is done with a DSLR camera and an 8mm lens on a panoramic head, then taken into post to be stitched together. I can't give ALL of the specifics, there's a bit more to it but that's the basic.

  I'll take a look at Draxtor Despres. Sounds interesting.