Configurable component framework supporting motion platform-based VR simulators

This paper classifies functional elements of a motion platform-based VR simulator by its component types, and proposes a VR simulator component framework (VSCF) that can be used in various VR simulators by integrating associated components. The VSCF consists of a VSCF component manager (VCM), VSCF components (VCs), and a VSCF data interface (VDI). The functional elements of a VR simulator are defined by the VC units that are registered to the VCM and operated on by the VR simulator. The VCM manages the registered VCs and plays a role in controlling information exchange between VCs. The information for VCs is defined at the VDI while the VCM stores essential elements necessary to collect and transfer information into the VDI and provide it to VCs. Simulator developers configure VCs depending on functional elements required by the VR simulator and define the VDI for information exchange between VCs from which they are able to build various motion platform-based VR simulators by integrating the VCs through the VCM. In this study, two VR simulators were developed to verify the applicability of the VSCF: The first was a VR simulator for firefighting robot training and the second was a VR simulator for electrical wheelchair operation.