A virtual collaborative world simulator for underwater robots using multidimensional, synthetic environment

Abstract

The distributed virtual environment collaborative simulator is used for testing of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) where both real and simulated vehicles can interact and cooperate in a hybrid, synthetic, virtual environment. This virtual reality system can be used to determine: 1) the optimal performance and criteria for the cooperating vehicles and its relative application; 2) the determination of the advantages and disadvantages of collaborative application tasks between multiple UUVs; and 3) the optimal communication links between the cooperating vehicles and its remote control stations. It also utilizes a virtual reality projection and polarized eye-wear systems, which immerses the user for optimal visualization.