English
SlovenčinaRoom (block/door number): W002/W002a
Webpage: https://etools.tuzvo.sk/cave/index.html
Basic information on research infrastructure:
Laboratory establishment period: The facility was built in 2012 and its modernization took place in 2022.
Type: located in one place
Average users per year: 100
Projects or resources that contributed to the establishment or modernization of research infrastructure:
- Establishment of the facility: Project OPVaV-2009/5.1/03-SORO within the framework of the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union.
- Modernization (upgrade) of the facility: Project ITMS with code 313011T678 - Comprehensive research into mitigation and adaptation measures to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems of Slovakia.
Detailed data on research infrastructure/laboratory
- Description and data on the research infrastructure/laboratory:
The virtual cave is a cuboid without one wall. The missing wall is intended for the entrance. Projectors are located on the outside, which synchronously illuminate the walls of the cuboid, creating a feeling of a compact space around the observer. The dimensions of the side walls are 3 x 2.25 meters. The dimensions of the top and bottom walls are 3 x 3 meters. Dual projector projection is used for each of the side walls. The observer wears 3D glasses that provide an image with 3D depth. The top and bottom walls of the projection cave are square in shape. The mismatch between the shape of the projected image and the shape of the wall is solved by covering it with a doubled number of projectors. The use of the space around the device is optimized by using projection mirrors. A 5+1 speaker system is in the device to achieve surround sound. The projectors are connected to a cluster of computers with the appropriate display software. The cluster is in an adjacent smaller room. A console computer is installed in the cave to control the entire system. Movement is controlled using wireless controllers in the hands of the observer.
The projection walls are made of special plastic plates designed for rear projection. The bottom wall is reinforced with safety glass to allow movement inside the block. The entire structure of the block is raised and therefore steps are created for access to its space. 14 projectors are used for projection onto the walls. The display cluster consists of eight computers - graphics stations. Of this number, seven are designed for rendering images for individual walls in stereoscopic mode and one is the control one. The computers contain powerful graphics cards to ensure smooth rendering. Another computer serves as a remote console for controlling the display system and at the same time for receiving inputs from the user. The INFITEC stereoscopic system is used. The user wears special glasses with a device for determining the position in space, the HTC Vive set. The observer's position serves to correctly calculate the projected images and the stereoscopic perception towards the observer.
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List of equipment:
The virtual cave is a functional unit consisting of the following main components:
- The device frame with projection walls and stairs for access to the cuboid-shaped cabin
- Projectors providing stereoscopic projection (14 pcs)
- Graphic servers (8 pcs)
- HTC Vive set positioning device
- Control console
- 5.1 sound system
- Wireless HMD Vive adapter
- Network elements
- CAVE device software
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Justification of uniqueness/strategic importance:
The Virtual Cave is a special device for visualizing natural and technical objects in the form of immersive and interactive virtual reality. The device serves the purposes of research, education and public outreach. The aim is to expand research and development by including the possibility of exploring objects in a virtual reality environment. It is possible to explore natural objects, such as forests and landscapes, or technical objects, such as woodworking, engineering and construction products, or entire production technologies and halls.
It enables forest visualization based on immersive virtual reality linked to forest growth forecasting tools.
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Assigning research infrastructure to one or more research areas:
- Agricultural, forestry and veterinary sciences