NASA using VR & game tech to train astronauts

NASA trains astronauts with zero-G virtual reality to get used to the physical and physiological effects of zero gravity environments.

They also have state of the art computer simulators (just like airline and fighter pilots) where pilots/astronauts spend thousands of hours in these multimillion to-scale models.


NASA also allows the VR environments to be used while suspended in the air as seen in the video.

Let's not also not forget Virtusphere and their simulators for integrated health and military scenarios with VR and haptic devices. Being able to move 360 degrees and feel totally immersed in a specific environment can be so valuable and lower training costs.

So in fact games and gaming technology can be instrumental in the training and preparation of military and health personnel and that it's important to try new forms of technology and continue to push the boundaries of our perceived limitations.

http://flip.it/iXeKY3

I found this user's gameplay experience using HTC Vive (featured earlier) who was quite impressed with the realism of the unit.

VR Sports on Vive Perfect Ping Pong Simulator Exergame

VR Sports is the latest Vive Studios release for HTC Vive headset and was showcased at GDC 2017 recently.

I think table tennis (ping-pong) is one of the best sports for hand-eye coordination, agility, quickness, and cardiovascular endurance. With incredible cross-brain activation using striking with both limbs and moving in all directions - if you didn't have a real-life partner, this option might be a good option.

VR Sports for Vive is a Perfect Ping Pong Simulator st GDC 2017


Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving simulators. 

Exergaming for Health & Utilitarian Goals PhD Defense - Tuomas Kari

Tuomas Kari's recent thesis defense titled "Exergaming Usage: Hedonic and Utilitarian Aspects" from the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) was just released online and in PDF form.

It is an excellent example of the manuscript format preparation for a Ph.D as it summarizes several foundational papers that laid the groundwork for the overall goal of analyzing how exergames can be used for health outcomes yet utilitarian goals.

This is the second PhD defense in the past month as Pooya defended his last month in analyzing a swimming exergame (Xbox Michael Phelps).

Congrats Dr. Kari and I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

https://twitter.com/TuomasKari

There is a growing demand for information systems (IS) that could advance
 desirable health behaviours among people. While digital gaming has generally
 been perceived to increase individuals’ sedentary time, gaming can also act as a
 medium to promote health, for example, by increasing individuals’ levels of
 physical activity. Exergaming, a form of digital gaming that combines games
 with physical activity, has been mentioned as potential means of influencing
 physical activity levels. Previous research on exergaming has been dominated
 by a very device-centric perspective, focusing more on its technological and
 physical aspects, than a more user-centric perspective that focuses on the users
 and the different aspects of usage. Such user-centric focus is greatly needed to
 achieve the recognised yet unreached potential of exergames, for example, to
 enhance the population’s levels of physical activity. The importance of
 researching IS usage has been continuously stressed in the field of IS, and
 increasing the understanding of IS use is important for both scholars and
 practitioners alike. Considering the identified research gap and the importance
 of the topic, this thesis takes a user-centric approach with aim to explain
 relevant aspects throughout the entire use cycle of exergames: intention to use,
 adoption and usage habits – as well as the reasons for not using – and use
 continuance after exergaming experiences. This thesis also examines the ability
 of exergames to promote physical activity and physical fitness. To investigate
 these aspects, relevant studies are carried out using both quantitative and
 qualitative research methods. This thesis demonstrates the perceptions of
 exergames and how they differ in different phases of the use cycle. The results
 highlight the importance of hedonic enjoyment perceptions behind usage
 intentions and the actual use of exergames; however, for the continued use of
 exergames, the perceptions of utilitarian benefit also have an important role.
 The theoretical contribution comes from providing valuable new knowledge to
 the scientific community and increasing the theoretical understanding of
 exergaming. The findings also pose several practical implications for different
 stakeholders, ranging from the developers and marketers of exergames to the
 public sector and the users

Via ScienceDaily

LEOMO TYPE-R Wearable Cycle Motion Analysis

LEOMO = Laws and Equations Of MOtion

Monitoring all aspects of a competitive cyclist has been pretty difficult given the large distances traveled and the various phases of a workout. Sure there are plenty of GPS, heart rate monitor, or activity tracker based systems including Strava, Garmin, Lezyne, & Magellan.

Using a collection of wearable sensors placed on the cyclist, data is captured and coordinated into the main portable unit's processor to give detailed analysis and feedback of each phase of the cyclist's drive /recovery phases and pedal rate discrepancies.

Although not typically not a game, LEOMO uses motion analysis, feedback, and peer support to aid cyclists in obtaining maximum efficiency and output for their riding goals. Many of these same elements have been successful in gaming environments and when you examine how data is presented and or gamified, you could quickly see how this ecosystem might be useful for other populations.

LEOMO Inc. Introduces TYPE-R Wearable That Does Motion Analysis For Cyclists, Triathletes:

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving bikes. 

Smart Dancing Exergaming Rhythm Shoes

These smart shoes with in-built motion sensors can teach you how to dance but according to their Indiegogo, it doesn't appear that the funds will come through to get this project off the shelf and onto the dance floor.

SwimTrain exergame increases social presence

Swimming is such an incredible recreation and fitness activity. Although clearly an older project from Microsoft Research, this SwimTrain Exergame might be a useful tool for beginner and advanced swimmers alike to get feedback on their team and individual stroke rates.

By wearing a waterproof armband, information is passed along via vibration, and audio patterns to inform swimmers of their placement and or stroke rates programmed via their coach.

I was able to find some recent work from this project including this 2016 paper examining group fitness capabilities.

I was intrigued to hear some of the participants comments from using SwimTrain including they liked to hear the names of the other swimmers and made them feel like they were all swimming together and was more friendly.

Unfortunately swimming with a smartphone on is not the most convenient package, it would be interesting to see if there is another wearable or NFC, Bluetooth system that could handle the communications data packages.

Enriched social experiences during swimming Participants reported that the use of peephole-style feedback and referring to other players by their nicknames evoked feelings of social awareness and presence, and helped form social bonds with other players: “Even though each player used a separate lane, it [SwimTrain] felt like swimming in a single lane all together [...] Since it kept announcing the nicknames, it made me wonder who that person was.” [P8] “This game allowed me to feel like I was swimming together with other people, and evoked a friendly feeling, even if I was swimming alone.” [P7]

The SwimTrain exergame makes swim workouts fun again:

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving swiming exergames.