From: Morten Tollefsen Subject: APPS: Virtual Oslo - application for visually disabled Organization: Dept. of Informatics, University of Oslo, Norway Virtual Reallity - Oslo We're planning a project on VR. The goal is to make an application for visually disabled, both for mobility training and to simulate vision problems. We're going to use a lot of acustic information, so it should be possible to use the system for blind users. This is only a call for partisipation, but I wanted to inform those of you who could be interested. Send me a note if you want to be informed, and you'll get information as soon as we have! mortent@unik.no ------------------------------ Virtual Oslo: Perceptual Learning and Mobility Project. Introduction The Virtual Oslo: Perceptual Learning and Mobility Project,is dedicated to assist the visually impaired to increase their orientation and mobility skills within urban and other specified environments, through the application of perceptual learning educational programs, combined with the technology of distributed virtual reality. Vision and Virtual Reality Why employ a visualization technology such as virtual reality, to assist the visually challenged? First, not all persons categorized as =D2blind=D3 are in fact sightless, the degree of visual acuity varies greatly. Utilizing computer based technology, designers can offer menu driven tool kits to custom tailor an interface to fulfill the vision needs of a specific user. This can address conditions pertaining to tunnel or peripheral vision, and dynamics in the color spectrum, for example. Last, virtual reality can be sound intensive, and highly detailed sound maps and information overlays can be combined within the pplication. The joint team will address the issues of perceptual learning applied to low vision. and virtual reality. They will produce a fully evaluated and field tested computer based interface, and examples of distributed virtual environments for orientation and mobility training. Also proposed is a telecommunications component to provide remote access to the virtual environments and special information services. The approach and technology utilized for the proposed virtual reality application is far reaching, and has relevance to a broad range of purposes, inclusive of other physical disabilities and simulated environments. The Participants The project is an international collaboration, including low vision and special education researchers, sociologists, telecommunications and virtual reality specialists from the countries of Norway and the United States. The list of participants is expected to grow, and currently includes the following institutions: * Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh * STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, Carnegie Mellon University * UNIK, Center for Technology at Kjeller, University of Oslo Planning Meeting In early November a project planning meeting will be held at UNIK, Center for Technology at Kjeller, University of Oslo. Interested potential collaborators are invited to attend. Please contact project assistant, Morton Tollefsen (mortent@unik.no) at UNIK, to be placed on a special mailing list so we may inform you of date and time of the meeting. Project Leader: Carl Eugene Loeffler Visiting Senior Scientist, University of Oslo Project Director, Carnegie Mellon University cel+@andrew.cmu.edu (1) 412-268-3452 (47) 63-809137 Project Advisor: Rune Floisbonn Director, UNIK, University of Oslo runef@unik.no (47) 63814570 ------------------------------ *M-T*