Multiuser Portable Virtual Reality Training Simulator for Submarines Navy STTR FY2007 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2007 Topic No.: N07-T014 Topic Title: Multiuser Portable Virtual Reality Training Simulator for Submarines Proposal No.: N074-014-0008 Firm: MetroLaser, Inc. 2572 White Road Irvine, California 92614-6236 Contact: Stephen Kupiec Phone: (949) 553-0688 Web Site: http://www.metrolaserinc.com Abstract: With the escalating pace of tactical submarine operations as well as the increasing strategic deployment of naval assets to distant locations, opportunities for the use of land-based mockup and pier-side simulation training has been greatly reduced. In order to maintain appropriate training levels at remote locations, the U.S. Navy is seeking a portable virtual reality training tool to enable data and imagery from land-based simulations to be satellite-relayed and superimposed on crew station consoles via head-mounted displays. In response to this need, MetroLaser Inc. proposes to develop the Remote Access Multiuser Portable Augmented Reality Training Simulation (RAMPARTS) system. RAMPARTS is a highly flexible augmented-reality simulation client and multiuser augmented reality system incorporating voice over internet protocol (VoIP), timestamped digital recording and playback for after-action reports, and High Level Architecture software compliance. RAMPARTS will employ passive infrared (IR) encoded fiducials integrated with IR cameras to provide optical-position determination coupled with inertial sensing to refine and smooth the resulting measurements. This tracking will be joined with state-of-the-art GPU hardware and data-parallel programming to produce a registered superposition image on the HMD system. Finally, a combination of local and remote processing will be employed to mitigate the high latency of satellite channels. Benefits: The capacity to provide remote training and instruction based upon deployed equipment is of critical use in maintaining user skills, teaching complex and rarely-encountered procedures, and remotely overseeing systems diagnostics. Such a tool would be of great use to first responders, nuclear and chemical plant operators, and mechanics and technicians servicing complex systems such as aircraft and warships. Return