Immersive Control of Human Interaction with Multi-Variate Data

DRaW Computing Associates, Inc.Philadelphia, PA

InnovationDeveloped a Virtual Reality package (Human OpenWorlds) for supporting immersive, reactive

worlds in a human simulation. It is based on DRaW’s OpenWorlds VRML libraries.

Accomplishments Range of commercial VRML products on several platforms. Work has been presented at VRML 98 Conference and featured in Silicon Graphics World. Related demo software being shipped by Silicon Graphics, Inc. with Irix 6.5 operating system. Over $200K privately invested in commercialization.

Commercialization OpenWorldsTM and Human OpenWorldsTM, OpenWorlds HorizonTM and OpenWorlds MerchantTM. Used in CAD/CAM,universities,car simulations, and interactive presentation graphics. Targeted for

existing and new 3D graphics applications, and human simulation environments. OpenWorlds product commercially available for PC, SGI, and Sun. Human OpenWorlds expected

availability August 1998. Over 700 product inquiries to date (June 1). One demo product being distributed by SGI. Examining other partnership/licensing opportunities. Currently self-funded enterprise. Product staffed by 10 full-time workers. Competitive strengths:

- Human OpenWorlds: presents unique ability to create interactive virtual worlds with realistic, accurate human figures.

- OpenWorlds: brings VRML and 3D graphics and simulation capabilities into any software system (i.e., CAD package, games, training packages, etc.)

- Open Platforms - supported on Sun, SGI, and Windows NT/95.- Open Rendering - supports OpenGL, Optimzier, Iris Performer, and more.

Government/Science Applications Currently used for NASA simulation of maintenance tasks for International

Space Station (feasibility, ergonomics studies). Potential uses for other human-machine interactions (training tasks,

feasibility studies, ergonomics assessment, etc.). Application for military, OSHA, etc. tasks. Application can be used to correct design flaws, make human

assessments of virtual mockup of station before production, resulting in potential millions of dollars in savings.

Astronauts can virtually train in simulation without building of costly physical mockups.

Human OpenWorlds Space Station Simulation

Points of Contact: - NASA (Denise Swain; 205/544-8112) - DRaW Computing (Paul Diefenbach; 215/382-0390)1994 SBIR Phase 2; NAS8-40639

Marshall Space Flight Center Date of Update: 6/4/98Success Story #: 8-009