X-Reality might sound like something from the future, but Texas State University is leading the way in immersive learning technology research with the X-Reality Research Group, an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students.
Team members come from the Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Social Work and Communication Design departments. Their research is experimenting with how the virtual and physical worlds can be connected. They are finding ways to integrate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) with the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a four-dimensional user experience.
A variety of applications can use this research, from networks to health to smart infrastructure, according to X-Reality Lab Director Dr. George Koutitas, assistant professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Who is the X-Reality Research Group?
- Dr. George Koutitas, X-Reality Lab director, Assistant Professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Dr. Scott Smith, X-Reality Lab co-director, Associate Professor in Social Work
- Mr. Grayson Lawrence, Associate Professor in Communication Design
- Dr. Vangelis Metsis, Assistant Professor in Computer Science
Learn more about their current and past projects below!
AmBus project
Texas State X-Reality researchers created a virtual and augmented reality representation of an ambulance, which allowed first responders to receive Just-in-Time Reality Training to learn Ambus Emergency Medical Service used during large-scale disasters.
They tested the accuracy and speed of first responders trained through the augmented reality program and compared their findings to those trained in the traditional approach, which is a presentation.
“At the end of this week, we did a test, and we found out that the team that was getting trained with augmented and virtual reality was 40 percent more accurate and 30 percent faster,” Dr. Koutitas said.
Industry 4.0 Digital Twins
Industry 4.0 refers to new developments in technology transforming the manufacturing industry and how goods are distributed. Dr. Jesus Jimenez, professor in the Ingram School of Engineering, and X-Reality Lab researchers, looked at how injuries could be reduced using the concept of a digital twin.
Researchers read data from sensors that captured human motion and makes an avatar move. A “digital twin” can be made that provides an accurate digital representation of a person that can be used for a variety of reasons such as workforce training, conduct real-time ergonomic evaluations and get feedback about a person’s health, and optimize workplace environments.
Augmented Reality and IoT
Augmented reality can also be used to overlay real-time data such as holograms, and virtual actions taken can influence physical things in the real-world. The video below demonstrates this, where Dr. Koutitas clicks a holographic button, causing the light to go on the physical item on the desk.
“One of the things that we want to investigate is integrating data with augmented reality,” he said. “If a civil engineer goes on the bridge to inspect it, they can see things in real time, the data from the bridge.”
Student researchers
Texas State students also work on these projects. The students below are all part of the X-Reality Research Group, lending their skills and expertise to furthering these innovative technology projects.
- Shivesh Singh Jadon, specialization on Unity Programming and AR/VR
- Dante Cash, specialization on Unity Programming and AR/VR
- Vinay Lokesh, specialization on Internet of Things and Sensor Networks
- Tyler Caroll, specialization on Unity Programming and AR/VR
- Jeschel Jabez Sugumar, specialization on APIs, System Integration, Internet of Things (IoT)
- Chaitanya Vyas, specialization on Unity Programming and AR/VR
- Shaswat Vyas, specialization on Unity Programming and AR/VR
- Varun Kumar Siddaraju, specialization on Spatial Mapping and image processing
- Cori Grohman, specialization on Internet of Things and Sensor Networks
- Chaitra Radhakrishna, specialization on Internet of Things and Sensor Networks
- John Halliday, specialization on Internet of Things
X-Reality researchers are trying to find ways to improve the “Virtual Environment of Things” (VEoT), which is the concept of integrating real-world IoT and smart technology and virtual world avatars in computer generated virtual environments so that the digital and physical worlds can interact in a real-time manner. Their research will lead to better human-to-smart environment interactions.
Texas State University is leading the way in technology innovation, and the Division of Information Technology’s blog is your source to keep up with what’s happening. Be sure to check out our other stories.
Steffanie Agnew is the digital marketing strategist in the IT Marketing and Communications office.
