University of Michigan                                                                                                   Principles of Virtual Reality : ENG 477

Project Title: Wayfinding During a Fire  

Project Team:

Faculty Advisor:

Objective:

This project explores a virtual wayfinding system that could be implemented in future fire rescues and
training exercises. The purpose of the wayfinding graphics is to assist fire-fighters in finding their way in
unfamiliar and smoke-filled environments. The graphics include a menu for selecting path options for
locating rooms and exits. This future instrument may incorporate a global positioning system and
modeled information of existing buildings (more information below under heading - possible future
application).
 

Description of Virtual Environment:

  1. A three-dimensional model was generated of the second floor of The University of Michigan's
    Art and Architecture Building located at 2000 Bonisteel Boulevard in Ann Arbor . The three-
    dimensional model is a simple representation of the building consisting of only its main elements (i.e. - walls,
    doors, windows) and some basic furniture (i.e. - tables, chairs, and computers). This meets the requirements
    of this exercise by giving the user a clear representation of the spaces as well as allowing for a greater level
    of detail to be added for future applications utilizing augmented reality.
  2. Upon initial entry into the VRML world, a dashboard will appear to the right of the screen with The
    Art and Architecture Building in the background (west elevation).
3. As you approach the building and cross the first proximity sensor, the fire is activated. The fire begins
    in the mechanical room located at the south-east corner of the building.
4. Once inside the building (all doors have a touch sensor) you can click on one of the buttons from the
    dashboard to bring up the illuminated path (augmented element in real world) leading you to
    your desired destination. Any of the five paths may be activated or deactivated anytime during
    the program.
5. Inside the conference room, you will find four South Park characters. Upon entry the proximity sensor
    is activated, beginning the animation of the characters. The four characters are three dimensionally
    modeled with texture maps applied to them.
6. At any point you wish to leave to building (i.e. fire has grown beyond control), click on the fifth
    button labeled exit. The fifth path leads to all the exists on the second floor.
    Animation involves the movement of the four South Park characters, operation of all the doors and the
    spread of fire. The fire is represented by a sphere which stretches from its point of origin, gradually
    consuming the building. The fire consists of two spheres. The inner sphere represents the fire and
    the outer sphere represents the smoke.

Navigation:

The user is able to control the speed and direction of movement within the virtual world.
Viewing is in walking mode with gravity and collision detection turned on.

Interaction:

Utilizing the options available from the dashboard, the user will be able to turn on/off
illuminated paths leading to four spaces/rooms within the building (for purpose of rescue) and a path
leading to all points of egress from the second floor.

Software Requirements:

Hardware Requirements: Problems Encountered:

Complications positioning dashboard with camera created in 3DStudio MAX. It was necessary to create the
dashboard exclusively with VRML 2.0 scripting.

Inlining a file at a height lower than or equal to that of the set avatar height causes the viewing level to
drop to the bottom of the inline file(s). The solution is to raise the entry position of inline files above
the avatar height.

When the model was rotated and moved in respect to the dashboard location, animation of the characters no
longer coincided with the world. The animations completed in 3DStudio MAX did not rotate along
with the rest of the model. Thus, all the characters were reanimated after the move and rotation of the world.

Most of the texture maps and architectural details were removed due to performance limitations of the
available systems. (i.e. Texture maps slows down movement in VRML world and 3D details flicker
due to Z-buffer problems.)

Final Shortcomings of the Application:

None - achieved all the initial objectives of the project.

Recommendations for Future Improvements:

The following are recommendations for improving the world once more powerful systems become
available. (The following were not implemented in the current project due to the increased taxing of
the current systems):
more texture maps applied to objects
increase in architectural detail (3D model)
the application of mpegs to the paths/arrows and fire
paths/arrows - increases visibility and sense of direction
fire - adds movement and realism
more animations (i.e. characters/people within the building)

VIEW OUR INDIVIDUAL VRML MODELS

VIEW OUR FINAL VRML MODEL

POSSIBLE FUTURE APPLICATION:

OBJECTIVE:

Utilizing the technology of augmented reality (AR), we will be exploring the possibilities of a wayfinding
system that could be implemented in future fire rescues and training exercises. This system would
incorporate a global positioning system (GPS) and modeled information of buildings, in
addition to AR.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT:

Introduction:

When a firefighter enters a building, he/she is unfamiliar with its environment. It takes precious time to
arrive at the desired location within the building. This time is elongated with the introduction of
smoke which considerably reduces visibility. Our wayfinding system will facilitate firefighters in
achieving their objectives in a more time efficient and safer manner.

Using a head-mounted display (HMD) unit with augmented reality, heads up display and global positioning
system technology, firefighters will be able to arrive at their desired location within a
building more efficiently as compared to current methods.

How this works:

A building's interior environment is three-dimensionally modeled and the information stored on a computer
in a remote location. When a firefighter enters the building wearing an HMD, he/she will have several
options displayed in an augmented menu from which to choose from. A primary option would be
locating a room. Once a room is selected, a path will be augmented onto the real world leading the
firefighter to the desired location. If smoke becomes too thick and visibility drops, another available
option is wireframe. Once activated, a wireframe delineating the spaces immediately occupied by the
fire-fighter is superimposed onto the surfaces guiding the firefighter even in zero percent visibility.

Such operations as the augmented paths and wireframes of each specific building will be controlled by
tracking devices on the HMDs which communicate with the GPS and computer containing the
information on the specific building. The communication between these systems will allow an
accurate display (i.e. location and scale) of the augmented elements.

GPS TECHNOLOGY

General Overview:

NAVSTAR, a complex navigation system (or GPS), was originally developed by the US Department of
Defense for military purposes. Fortunately, this technology can now be utilized by civilians but in a
restricted form. A GPS uses numerous satellites to pinpoint the location of the GPS user. The
accuracy of calculating the position is dependent upon the type of GPS receiver and satellite being
used.
 

The current ability of global positioning systems to provide a positional fix is not accurate enough for
successful implementation into this proposed project. However, at the rate the technology in this area
of communications is developing, it will not be long until the accuracy we desire is achieved.

(Information on the accuracy of military global positioning systems not available.)

References:

Lewis, Geoff. Communications Technology Handbook. 2nd ed. (Oxford: Focal Press, 1997)
 


 Last updated: December 10, 1997.
 

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