{"id":39548,"date":"2023-11-09T11:30:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T11:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=39548"},"modified":"2023-11-09T11:30:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T11:30:32","slug":"hotgestures-new-virtual-reality-tool-allows-users-build-control-shapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/hotgestures-new-virtual-reality-tool-allows-users-build-control-shapes\/39548\/","title":{"rendered":"HotGestures: New virtual reality tool allows users to build and control shapes"},"content":{"rendered":"

University of Cambridge researchers have developed a virtual reality application where 3D modelling tools can be controlled using the user\u2019s hand movement.<\/h2>\n

The team used Machine Learning<\/a> to develop the 3D virtual reality modelling tool HotGestures. The technology is analogous to the hot keys used in many desktop applications.<\/p>\n

The new tool allows users to build figures and shapes in virtual reality without interacting with a menu. This helps users stay focused on a specific task.<\/p>\n

This is the first time that this ability has been made available.<\/p>\n

The results, \u2018HotGestures: Complementing Command Selection and Use with Delimiter-Free Gesture-Based Shortcuts in Virtual Reality<\/a>,\u2019 are reported in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics. <\/em><\/p>\n

Innovating virtual reality<\/h3>\n

Virtual reality has been regarded as game-changing technology for many years, but outside of gaming, its promise has not fully materialised.<\/p>\n

Professor Per Ola Kristensson from Cambridge\u2019s Department of Engineering and research leader, said: \u201cUsers gain some qualities when using VR, but very few people want to use it for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeyond the visual fatigue and ergonomic issues, VR isn\u2019t really offering anything you can\u2019t get in the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Desktop software users will be familiar with hot keys \u2013 command shortcuts such as ctrl-c to copy and ctrl-v to paste. Although these shortcuts mean that the user does not need to open a menu to find the right tool, the user must memorise the correct command.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to take the concept of hot keys and turn it into something more meaningful for virtual reality \u2013 something that wouldn\u2019t rely on the user having a shortcut in their head already,\u201d said Kristensson, who is also Co-Director of the Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence.<\/p>\n

About HotGestures<\/h3>\n

Inspired by hot keys, Kristensson and his team developed HotGestures. This tool allows users to gesture with their hand to open and control the tool they need in 3D virtual reality environments.<\/p>\n

For example, a cutting motion opens the scissor tool, and a spray motion opens the spray can tool. The user does not need to open a menu to find the required tool, or remember a specific shortcut.<\/p>\n