Experiment Assisting System with Local Augmented Body (EASY-LAB) for Subject Experiments under the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yukiko Iwasaki, Joi Oh, Takumi Handa, Ahmed A. Sereidi, Vitvasin Vimolmongkolporn, Fumihiro Kato, Hiroyasu Iwata

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Since it is challenging to perceive space and objects with a video conferencing system, which communicates using only video and audio, there are difficulties in testing subjects in the COVID-19 pandemic. We propose the EASY-LAB system that allows an experimenter to perform observation and physical interaction with the subject even from a remote location actively. The proposed system displays the camera image on a HMD worn by the experimenter, which camera is mounted on a small 6 DOF robot arm end, allowing observation from an easy-to-see perspective. The experimenter can also instruct the subject using another robot arm with a laser pointer. The robot's joint angles are calculated by Inverse Kinematics from the experimenter's head movements, then reflected in the actual robot. Photon Unity Networking component was used for the synchronization process with remote locations. These devices are affordable, effortless to set up, and can be delivered to the subject's home. Finally, the proposed system was evaluated by four subjects, As a preliminary result, the mean pointing error was 1.1 cm, and the operation time was reduced by 60% compared with the conventional video conferencing system. This result indicated the EASY-LAB's capability, at least in tasks that require pointing and observation from various angles. The statistical study with more subjects will be conducted in the follow-up study.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpecial Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Emerging Technologies, SIGGRAPH 2021
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
ISBN (Electronic)9781450383646
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Aug 5
EventSpecial Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference: Emerging Technologies, SIGGRAPH 2021 - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: 2021 Aug 92021 Aug 13

Publication series

NameSpecial Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Emerging Technologies, SIGGRAPH 2021

Conference

ConferenceSpecial Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference: Emerging Technologies, SIGGRAPH 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period21/8/921/8/13

Keywords

  • Interaction
  • UI/Tools
  • telecommuting work
  • telepresence
  • telexistence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Human-Computer Interaction

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