Assignment 4 Report

Assignment 4 Report Template

Introduction/Overview

The VR Firefighter App aims to provide users with the knowledge and abilities required to protect people in the case of a real-world fire emergency.   

Description of Application

The application that we are creating is a virtual environment with different scenarios to help train upcoming firefighters in a risk- and stress-free environment. The problem that we are addressing is dangerous work environments and being able to create a place to train that is without the risk that’s involved with these jobs. With firefighters, there are many different dangers such as needing to go through fires, rescuing people and making tough decisions. This is addressed through our implementation of a fire training simulator. Through these imaginative scenarios, users can explore their actions while learning crucial information about various fire causes distinguishing between electrical, chemical, and oil fires. In a safe virtual environment, users can practice using a variety of firefighting tools and techniques, such as axes and extinguishers. In the context of firefighting training, this application is of utmost importance since it provides the knowledge and abilities required to combat and manage fires effectively for both experienced and inexperienced firefighters. Additionally, everyone can use it, regardless of level of skill, ensuring that everyone is able to learn actual fire scenarios since it improves users’ awareness of firefighting and rescue techniques.

Description of Interface Solution

Virtual Reality (VR) is significant in our application because it allows us to put the user in a controlled environment that we create. This eliminates all the risks involved with firefighting so people can be trained in for a dangerous job without any of the danger. VR allows for motion tracking with hands which is essential for implementations of a fire extinguisher of sorts. VR can be used to copy human like movements in a virtual environment. This means that actions like aiming a hose at a fire to put it out can be easily implemented. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the training is further increased by the inclusion of realistic 3D models, audio and tactile stimuli which can help in the development of the situational awareness.

With the main problem that’s addressed being dangerous occupations, specifically firefighting, there a few things that needs to be implemented. These being:

• Some kind of fire that needs to be put out
• Implementation of a fire hose/extinguisher
• Realistic aspects of smoke and how it fogs your vision
• Being able to break down a door to rush into a burning building

All these problems are best resolved using virtual reality, instead of any other technologies. The safety of an artificial environment, created solely for the purpose of training is what makes Virtual Reality such a good solution for dangerous work environment training. Within this environment, aspects such as smoke will become more realistic, creating a more immersive and effective experience for the user. Due to the nature of virtual reality, the user will be immersed in this environment instead of needing to stare at a computer screen, meaning they will physically coincide within the environment. Because of this, everything will feel more realistic and the nature of needing to put out the fire, and the adrenaline rush of needing to knock down a door to get to the fire in time will all feel very real.

VR in fact, has already proven to be a suitable solution for dangerous occupations, with there being many instances of different companies already using this technology for training. A strong example of this is being training in the military, where VR has been used to train soldiers to detect underground explosives and anti-tank mines. (Morozova, 2023) There are also instances of different British armies taking advantage of this technology to implement training regimes on a virtual battlefield where trainees can train in a safe environment. VR allows for trainees to practice identify hazards while being able to feel comfort in their safety allowing future employees to fail safely (VR training for hazardous situations 2023).

Interaction Design

 In the full application, five interactions are considered:

• Identify the source of fire
• Smashing windows or doors
• Select an extinguisher
• Pick up the extinguisher
• Put out the fire

Identify the source of fire

It is imperative for users to ascertain the precise origin or type of the fire they are confronted with. Recognizing this is made feasible through specific visual and auditory indicators, which serve as reliable cues. Diverse types of fires have unique appearances and sounds that can be easily distinguished once users are familiar with them. The current prototype delineates three primary fire categories: wood-based, electrical, and oil-generated fires. Each of these possesses specific attributes:

• Wood fire: Vibrant red-orange glow.
• Electric fire: Azure hue with sparks.
• Oil fire: Golden and orange blaze accompanied by dark fumes.

Furthermore, the immediate environment or context can also provide valuable clues. For instance, a fire near electronics suggests an electrical origin, while a pile of logs burning indicates a wood source.

Smashing windows or doors

To access places impacted by fire, firefighters frequently run into barriers like closed windows or locked doors that must be broken through. This interaction teaches users how to perform these actions safely. Users gain confidence in their ability to deal with physical challenges by swinging an axe and pushing virtual doors. People can learn the importance of applying appropriate force as a result of this.

Select an extinguisher

Post-identification of the fire's source, the subsequent critical step for users is to select an appropriate method or tool to combat the fire. Within the current prototype, this selection process is facilitated by a series of buttons positioned within the scene. While this method may not be the pinnacle of user-friendly design due to its less intuitive nature, it offers simplicity, making it ideal for an initial prototype version. If users make the correct selection, they advance to the next phase. However, any erroneous choices are not left unnoticed: the system responds with distinct auditory alerts or even by intensifying the fire as immediate feedback.

Pick up extinguisher

Successfully navigating the selection phase prompts the appearance of the extinguisher right in front of the user. To bridge the gap between the digital realm and the real-world experience, users, with the aid of their controllers, can then simulate the action of physically picking up this life-saving tool. For added clarity and to ensure users are never left second-guessing, a set of on-screen instructions is prominently displayed, guiding them through the retrieval process.

Put out the fire

With the extinguisher firmly in hand—or rather, represented within their controller—the final challenge for users is the actual firefighting. Guided by the controller, users can initiate the spraying action, releasing water or other appropriate fire-fighting agents. To further support and instruct users during this climactic phase, the prototype provides step-by-step instructions, ensuring they not only succeed in their task but also understand the mechanics and rationale behind each action.

Initial Technical Development

This project is being developed to target VR interfaces over the numerous available for use such as AR or basic mouse and keyboard as it conforms to the experience we are trying to simulate the greatest. VR, as opposed to other interfaces, allows the user to be immersed in situations that they could find themselves facing in reality which is perfect when training for a real job where making a mistake could result in another’s or the trainee’s own life is on the line. VR allows for a greater depth of detail to be presented within the experience which is imperative in fire-fighter training where one wrong move can further escalate a situation, and allows us to present clearer instructions to the user by matching human-like, natural movements to demonstrate action.

So far in our endeavour  to create such an application, we have created a working fire extinguisher that the user is able to pick up and use. Once the user is within distance, they may pick up the extinguisher and hold it in their virtually represented hand. The user may then hold the corresponding button on the controller to activate a spray of the extinguisher's contents. The spray dissipates after a small delay.

Currently being developed:

• The foams interaction with objects that are on fire (Working out how to integrate the fire assets functionality into our current application)
• A selection set up for different types of extinguishers (will be easy with the current implementation of extinguishers)
• Different scenarios
• Scenario selection

To be developed:

• Provide guidance/instructions (whether through text or through demonstration)

Possible development (if time allows for it):

• Rescue scenarios
• Door breaking interaction

Initial 3D Models

Fire extinguisher – standard tool that will have application on the field. Main object a user will interact with.

Warehouse asset pack – simulating a real environment with fairly detailed building assets.

Fire spread system – more realistic than other available options with dynamic spreading (better for simulating realism although might be out of scope to utilize spread). >> Does this could as a 3d model technically? <<

Axe – another standard tool that has application in real scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the purpose of VR firefighting and rescue training simulation is to provide users with a realistic and immersive experience that will help in the learning of essential skills. In a controlled virtual environment, it makes use of interaction and resources to produce compelling situations where users may learn various fire sources, put out flames with the proper tools, and save lives.

References

Morozova, A. (no date) Using VR training in the most dangerous jobs — , Jasoren. Available at: https://jasoren.com/using-virtual-reality-to-prepare-people-with-the-most-dangerous-jobs-for-high-risk-situations/ (Accessed: 08 October 2023).

VR training for hazardous situations (2023) Motive.io. Available at: https://www.motive.io/blog/vr-training-for-hazardous-situations/#:~:text=Recreating%20dangerous%20scenarios%20in%20VR,skills%20once%20training%20is%20complete. (Accessed: 08 October 2023).

-- Assets--

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/tools/axe-20493

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/fire-propagation-92187

https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/fire-extinguisher-3d-2113028

Technical laboratory designer-V1 Room by NickStenton. Link: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/technical-laboratory-designer-v1-room-93699