Description:

Virtual desktops expand the virtual space of a computer’s desktop environment beyond the physical space of a traditional display device (monitor). This can be done by using different display devices such as stereo monitors of head-mounted displays (HMDs), which provide a 360 degree environment. While HMDs have been used before, a common problem motion sickness and the difficulty of interacting with the virtual environment.

In this project we investigate the use of novel virtual desktop designs and interaction metaphors to improve the usability of a 3D virtual desktop.

Type:

Undergraduate

Outcome:

1)     Analysis of previous work on virtual desktop

2)     Analysis of usability issues with VR environment and in particular concepts to reduce motion (simulation) sickness

3)     Technology analysis

4)     Developing of a prototype for a virtual desktop

5)     Evaluation of the virtual desktop (e.g. comparison with a desktop on a 2D display or 3D representation on a stereo monitor)

Prerequisites

Knowledge of HCI and preferably computer graphics

Specialisations

• Software Engineering

Categories

• Human Computer Interactions

Supervisor

• Burkhard Wuensche

Co-supervisor

• Gerald Weber

Team

• Arran Davis
• Sarah Haver

Lab

Lab allocations have not been finalised