Virtual Reality Services Research Articles

Interest-aware joint caching, computing, and communication optimization for mobile VR delivery in MEC networks

In the upcoming B5G/6G era, Virtual Reality (VR) over wireless has become a typical application, which is an inevitable trend in the development of video. However, in immersive and interactive VR experiences, VR services typically exhibit high delay, while simultaneously posing challenges for the energy consumption of local devices. To address these issues, this paper aims to improve the performance of VR service in the edge-terminal cooperative system. Specifically, we formulate a joint Caching, Computing, and Communication (3C) VR service policy problem by optimizing the weighted sum of the total VR delivery delay and the energy consumption of local devices. To design the optimal VR service policy, the optimization problem is decoupled into three independent subproblems to be solved separately. To improve the caching efficiency within the network, a Bert-based user interest analysis method is first proposed to accurately characterize the content request behavior. Based on this, a service cost minimum-maximization problem is formulated under the consideration of performance fairness among users. Then, the joint caching and computing scheme is derived for each user with a given allocation of communication resources while a bisection-based communication scheme is acquired with the given information on the joint caching and computing policy. With alternative optimization, an optimal policy for joint 3C based on user interest can be finally obtained. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed user interest-aware caching scheme and the effectiveness of the joint 3C optimization policy while considering user fairness. Our code is available at https://github.com/mrfuqaq1108/Interest-Aware-Joint-3C-Optimization.

COMPUTER VISUALIZATION IN TEACHING GENERAL TECHNICAL DISCIPLINES: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS

The article investigates the development of visual aids and visualization ideas in the organization of the educational process, particularly in teaching general technical disciplines. The article aims to review the development of visual aids and visualization ideas in education, clarify the essence of computer visualiza- tion, classify its types and kinds, and determine the directions of computer visualization usage in teaching general technical disciplines and the software applications that ensure their development for educational purposes. The study operates methods of retrospective, content, and semantic analysis, classification, gen- eralization, and modelling. The historical context of introducing electronic visualization tools in education has been considered in the study, starting from the first projectors in the 1930s to modern computer visualization technologies such as 2D and 3D visualization, stereoscopic 3D, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). The es- sence of computer visualization as a general term for graphic methods of creating, analysing, and transmit- ting information has been defined. Differences between the didactic principles of visual aids and visualiza- tion have been clarified. It has been highlighted that visualization has a more complex structure since it in- cludes actions for constructing images of investigated objects or phenomena. The article identifies the directions for implementing computer visualization, including scientific, soft- ware, and information visualization. It has been established that all visual content can be divided into three subgroups: structured, artistic, and demonstrative visual objects, which can be static or dynamic, in one plane or three-dimensional space. The impact of computer visualization on the methods of teaching general technical disciplines has been analysed. It has been shown that modern approaches to using computer visualization provide new opportunities for more effective and interactive learning, promoting the development of students’ technical and spatial imagination, which is crucial for future engineers and technical specialists. An approximate list of software for creating computer visualization tools, which can be useful in teaching general technical disciplines, has been provided. Among them are applications for creating presentations and infographics, 3D modelling, VR and AR-based applications and services, simulators, and emulators. The main directions for using computer visualization aids in teaching general technical disciplines are identified, including auxiliary synopsis, diagrams, tables, block diagrams, graphs, frames, word clouds, domain structures, memory cards, comics, heuristic sketches, knowledge animation, infographics, multimedia presentations, educational videos, static and dynamic 2D and 3D models, VR and AR objects. It has been concluded, that the didactic effectiveness of computer visualization in teaching general technical disciplines is ensured by certain provisions, namely: the focus on the quick and complete memorization of studied concepts, theories, and ideas by students; adherence to the principles of reliability, quality, completeness, sufficiency, logic, simplicity of perception, optimality, unity of graphics and text, and emphasis on key points; encouraging students to independently analyse and construct new, non-trivial didactic tasks allowing them to explore concepts, phenomena, or objects in terms of independent search and educational experimentation.

Virtual reality traffic prioritization for Wi-Fi quality of service improvement using machine learning classification techniques

The increase in the demand for eXtended Reality (XR)/Virtual Reality (VR) services in the recent years, poses a great challenge for Wi-Fi networks to maintain the strict latency requirements. In VR over Wi-Fi, latency is a significant issue. In fact, VR users expect instantaneous responses to their interactions, and any noticeable delay can disrupt user experience. Such disruptions can cause motion sickness, and users might end up quitting the service. Differentiating interactive VR traffic from Non-VR traffic within a Wi-Fi network can aim to decrease latency for VR users and improve Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS) with giving priority to VR users in the access point (AP) and efficiently handle VR traffic. In this paper, we propose a machine learning-based approach for identifying interactive VR traffic in a Cloud-Edge VR scenario. The correlation between downlink and uplink is crucial in our study. First, we extract features from single-user traffic characteristics and then, we compare six common classification techniques (i.e., Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, k-Nearest Neighbors, Decision Trees, Random Forest, and Naive Bayes). For each classifier, a process of hyperparameter tuning and feature selection, namely permutation importance is applied. The model created is evaluated using datasets generated by different VR applications, including both single and multi-user cases. Then, a Wi-Fi network simulator is used to analyze the VR traffic identification and prioritization QoS improvements. Our simulation results show that we successfully reduce VR traffic delays by a factor of 4.2x compared to scenarios without prioritization, while incurring only a 2.3x increase in delay for background (BG) traffic related to Non-VR services.

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Training on Cognitive, Social, and Physical Functioning in High-Functioning Older Adults (CoSoPhy FX): 2-Arm, Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising technology for enhancing the health care of older individuals, particularly in the domains of cognition, physical activity, and social engagement. However, existing VR products and services have limited availability and affordability; hence, there is a need for a scientifically validated and personalized VR service to be used by older adults in their homes, which can improve their overall physical, cognitive, and social well-being. The main purpose of the CoSoPhy FX (Cognitive, Social, and Physical Effects) study was to analyze the effects of a VR-based digital therapeutics app on the cognitive, social, and physical performance abilities of healthy (high-functioning) older adults. This paper presents the study protocol and the results from the recruitment phase. A group of 188 healthy older adults aged 65-85 years, recruited at the Medical University of Lodz, Poland, were randomly allocated to the experimental group (VR dual-task training program) or to the control group (using a VR headset app showing nature videos). A total of 3 cognitive exercises were performed in various 360° nature environments delivered via a VR head-mounted display; the participants listened to their preferred music genre. Each patient received 3 sessions of 12 minutes per week for 12 weeks, totaling a minimum of 36 sessions per participant. Attention and working memory (Central Nervous System Vital Signs computerized cognitive battery) were used as primary outcomes, while other cognitive domains in the Central Nervous System Vital Signs battery, quality of life (World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), and anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7-item questionnaire) were the secondary outcomes. The group-by-time interaction was determined using linear mixed models with participants' individual slopes. In total, 122 (39%) of the initial 310 participants failed to meet the inclusion criteria, resulting in a recruitment rate of 61% (188/310). Among the participants, 68 successfully completed the intervention and 62 completed the control treatment. The data are currently being analyzed, and we plan to publish the results by the end of September 2024. VR interventions have significant potential among healthy older individuals. VR can address various aspects of well-being by stimulating cognitive functions, promoting physical activity, and facilitating social interaction. However, challenges such as physical discomfort, technology acceptance, safety concerns, and cost must be considered when implementing them for older adults. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of VR-based interventions, optimal intervention designs, and the specific populations that would benefit most. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05369897; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05369897. DERR1-10.2196/53261.

Customers’ intention to use virtual reality in tourism: a comprehensive analysis of influencing factors

Purpose The emergence of virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including tourism, as it delivers a simulated environment that closely emulates real-life experiences. Therefore, this study aims to explore how the factors, i.e. enjoyment, emotional involvement, flow state, perceived privacy risk, physical risk and cost, influence the customers’ intention to use VR for tourism. Design/methodology/approach This study integrates the technology acceptance model, hedonic consumption theory with other factors, including cognitive response, authenticity, perceived privacy risk, perceived physical risk, perceived cost and perceived presence. Partial least squares structural equation modelling approach was used to test the proposed research model. Findings The finding based on the sample of 252 respondents revealed that authenticity is the most influential factor impacting behavior intention followed by perceived cost, attitude, cognitive response and enjoyment. Also, the study supported the moderating impact of personal innovativeness between attitude and behavioral intention to use VR for tourism. Practical implications The findings of the study offers practical implications for service providers, site managers, destination marketers, tourist organizations and policymaker to develop more effective strategies for offering VR services for tourism. Originality/value This study enriches the current understanding of VR adoption in context of tourism with empirical evidences.

A multipath scheduler based on cross-layer information for low-delay applications in 5G edge networks

Virtual Reality (VR) applications that require extremely low delay and high image quality are widely used in online games and other 5G scenarios, becoming a hot research field in recent years. However, the limited bandwidth in 5G edge networks fails to meet the peak rate requirements for multiple VR flows. MPTCP is suitable for 5G edge networks, supporting the simultaneous use of multiple networks on mobile devices. Nevertheless, accurately scheduling VR data blocks to different subflows to satisfy their low delay requirements is challenging due to their microburst characteristic. In this paper, we propose a novel MPTCP scheduler for cloud VR applications in 5G edge networks, called the Cross-layer information-based one-way delay Predictive Scheduler (CPS). CPS accurately predicts one-way delay by incorporating cross-layer information from both the application and edge wireless sides, and adaptively schedules VR data blocks to the optimal subflow. Experimental results show that CPS outperforms existing strategies, supporting 125% more users for VR applications in the typical scenario. CPS successfully meets the quality of experience needs of more users, providing a promising solution for large-scale deployment of cloud VR services in 5G edge networks.

Media-Tech Companies as Agents of Innovation: From Radical to Incremental Innovation in a Cluster

During recent decades new players, forms, and practices have been entering the journalism field, prompting a re-examination of journalism’s professional and organizational boundaries. Many scholars argue for expanding the scope of journalism studies beyond the newsrooms to encompass actors labelled as strangers, peripheral players, or interlopers. Those actors do not belong to traditional journalism but are becoming involved in the production of news, challenging journalism borders from the inside and out. Their influence has been growing and scholarship is increasingly mapping out these strangers and assessing their role in journalism innovation. In this article, we examine the role of one type of implicit interloper in journalism innovation: media-tech companies. We consider companies that provide video management and virtual reality services as implicit interlopers, due to their connection to journalism through the boundary object of news production and lack of claim over journalistic authority. We argue that media-tech companies have been under-researched based on a review of literature on innovation according to Holton and Belair-Gagnon’s (2018) typology of interlopers. Therefore, we examine what kind of innovation comes from the periphery of journalism, and the prerequisites for and the role of those innovations in the context of a specific cluster. We conducted a case study of Media City Bergen based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured elite interviews with executives of media-tech companies. Our findings show how media-tech companies bring innovation to production and distribution, content, and content consumption. Furthermore, they show how disruptiveness and the degree of innovations change with the maturation of the cluster.

Evaluation of The Usability of Virtual Reality as An Educational Tool for Nursing Student Simulators

Technology-based simulation learning methods have great potential to support education for students in the health sector. One of the innovations that can be done is virtual reality. In using virtual reality, paying attention to the quality of virtual reality services to provide learning satisfaction and motivate students to be active in the learning process is essential. VNursLab designed VR as an additional learning media for Padjadjaran University nursing students. Therefore, this study aims to identify nursing students' satisfaction with using VR as a learning media simulator.The method used is pre-experimental quantitative research and a one-shot case study approach. The sampling used in the study was purposive. Eighty-six respondents completed the research by following the VR simulation for 20 minutes and continued filling out the PSSUQ (Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive analytics by finding the mean value of each aspect of the assessment obtained from the mean of each element of the respondent. The results show that the overall quality of VR VNursLab is good (2.2), with a mean value of system quality (2.3), mean InfoQual (2.21), and IntQual (2.28). Based on these results, VR VNursLab as a learning media with virtual simulation methods has a good quality of use assessment and provides satisfaction with nursing students' use.

Extended Reality Platform for Metaverse Exhibition

This paper proposes a web-based extended reality (XR) platform integrating exhibitions based on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The proposed platform includes an XR cloud for managing and sharing data in XR spaces, a VR client for users, and an AR client for real-world users. The XR cloud is a web-based VR service responsible for managing objects and spatial information related to real and virtual spaces while simultaneously facilitating real-time information sharing and synchronization between AR and VR users. The VR client offers a virtual exhibition environment based on the virtual space and information for VR users. The AR client overlays virtual information over objects in a real space, allowing for intuitive interaction with them. The proposed XR platform was implemented with Oculus Quest 2 for VR and HoloLens 2 for AR and was evaluated in a small exhibition environment. In this experimental environment, VR and AR users were able to participate in the same exhibition from different spaces and share their experiences in real time.

QoS-driven resource allocation in fog radio access network: A VR service perspective.

While immersive media services represented by virtual reality (VR) are booming, They are facing fundamental challenges, i.e., soaring multimedia applications, large operation costs and scarce spectrum resources. It is difficult to simultaneously address these service challenges in a conventional radio access network (RAN) system. These problems motivated us to explore a quality-of-service (QoS)-driven resource allocation framework from VR service perspective based on the fog radio access network (F-RAN) architecture. We elaborated details of deployment on the caching allocation, dynamic base station (BS) clustering, statistical beamforming and cost strategy under the QoS constraints in the F-RAN architecture. The key solutions aimed to break through the bottleneck of the network design and to deep integrate the network-computing resources from different perspectives of cloud, network, edge, terminal and use of collaboration and integration. Accordingly, we provided a tailored algorithm to solve the corresponding formulation problem. This is the first design of VR services based on caching and statistical beamforming under the F-RAN. A case study provided to demonstrate the advantage of our proposed framework compared with existing schemes. Finally, we concluded the article and discussed possible open research problems.

The impact of virtual reality on private value dimensions: a healthcare case study

ABSTRACT The digitalization of public services is a growing phenomenon that affects providers and users alike. However, the impact of digitalization on the Public Service Logic remains understudied. We aim to understand how virtual reality impacts private value dimensions in public healthcare. Drawn from a dual-perspective of providers’ and users’ interviews and personal diaries, we contribute to value-in-context by underlining nuances of the user needs and service outcomes. Similarly, value-in-use shows patients’ experimentations and experiences with the virtual reality service. This study contributes to value dimensions, capturing the phenomenological aspects of the public service encounter in a complex digital healthcare ecosystem.

A Multi-User Cost-Efficient Crowd-Assisted VR Content Delivery Solution in 5G-and-Beyond Heterogeneous Networks

The latest evolution of wireless communications enables user access rich Virtual Reality (VR) services via the Internet, including while on the move. However, providing a premium immersive experience for massive number of concurrent users with various device configurations is a significant challenge due to the ultra-high data rate and ultra-low delay requirements of live VR services. This paper introduces an innovative multi-user cost-efficient crowd-assisted delivery and computing (MEC-DC) framework, which leverages mobile edge computing and end-user resources to support high performance VR content delivery over 5G-and-beyond heterogeneous networks (5G-HetNets). The proposed MEC-DC framework is based on three main solutions. First is a novel buffer-nadir-based multicast (BNM) mechanism for VR transmissions over 5G-HetNets. BNM ensures smooth and synchronized user viewing experience by maximizing the average playback buffer-nadir of all participants with stochastic optimization. Second and third are practical distributed algorithms: the cost-efficient multicast-aware transcoding offloading (MATO) and crowd-assisted delivery algorithm (CAD) which optimize jointly multicast delivery and video transcoding. The algorithms optimality and complexity were investigated. The proposed MATO-CAD solution was evaluated with real datasets, trace-driven numerical simulations, and prototype-based experiments. The trace-driven experimental results showed how the proposed solution provides 18% throughput improvement, lowest delay and best playback freeze ratio in comparison with three other state-of-the-art solutions.

Intelligent cache and buffer optimization for mobile VR adaptive transmission in 5G edge computing networks

Virtual Reality (VR) is a key industry for the development of the digital economy in the future. Mobile VR has advantages in terms of mobility, lightweight and cost-effectiveness, which has gradually become the mainstream implementation of VR. In this paper, a mobile VR video adaptive transmission mechanism based on intelligent caching and hierarchical buffering strategy in Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)-equipped 5G networks is proposed, aiming at the low latency requirements of mobile VR services and flexible buffer management for VR video adaptive transmission. To support VR content proactive caching and intelligent buffer management, users' behavioral similarity and head movement trajectory are jointly used for viewpoint prediction. The tile-based content is proactively cached in the MEC nodes based on the popularity of the VR content. Second, a hierarchical buffer-based adaptive update algorithm is presented, which jointly considers bandwidth, buffer, and predicted viewpoint status to update the tile chunk in client buffer. Then, according to the decomposition of the problem, the buffer update problem is modeled as an optimization problem, and the corresponding solution algorithms are presented. Finally, the simulation results show that the adaptive caching algorithm based on 5G intelligent edge and hierarchical buffer strategy can improve the user experience in the case of bandwidth fluctuations, and the proposed viewpoint prediction method can significantly improve the accuracy of viewpoint prediction by 15%.

SNS 이용 목적과 사용자의 성격 5요인에 따른 아바타 추구 유형 연구

The virtual reality technology industry, which is rapidly growing with new content services, is also being implemented on social network services such as Facebook and Instagram. At this time, spatial interaction, which is the characteristics of virtual space, and the expression of self-expression characters, that is, avatars, are also increasingly prominent as actual beings. This study sought to find out what type of avatar is selected as an element of self-expression according to the motivation for using existing SNS services, and to examine whether the user's personality type affects avatar self-expression in expressing avatars representing oneself in virtual space. Through the theoretical background, the five factors of avatar self-expression, purpose of using SNS, and personality were examined, and the relationship with avatar, a factor that can maximize the immersion experience of virtual reality, was considered. Interviews were conducted with Generation X, who are familiar with avatars and have a high probability of inflow through SayClub and Cyworld, and research results were derived based on this. Through this study, it is expected to be used as a basic guideline for developing virtual reality services in various social network services.

Construction of a Virtual Reality Service Platform for Product Brand Design

Construction of a Virtual Reality Service Platform for Product Brand Design

Rendered Tile Reuse Scheme Based on FoV Prediction for MEC-Assisted Wireless VR Service

Interactive real-time wireless Virtual Reality (VR) has become increasingly popular because it provides an immersive experience for VR users anytime, anywhere. Introducing multi-access edge computing (MEC) to wireless VR service can solve the problem that VR devices having insufficient rendering power. However, the problem that some tiles in the overlapping field of views (FoVs) may be rendered repeatedly usually be ignored. Repeated rendering would waste the computing resources of edge nodes and damage users' quality of experience (QoE). This paper proposes a rendered tile reuse scheme based on FoV prediction and 3 C (caching, computing, and communication) optimization for the MEC-assisted VR service. Firstly, we model the above scheme as an optimization problem that aims to maximize the total users' QoE value under the motion to photons (MTP) delay constraints. Secondly, we use the recurrent neural network model with gated recurrent unit (GRU) architecture to dynamically predict the users' FoV in the next time slot. Thirdly, we use the proximal policy optimization (PPO)to learn the question's solution iteratively based on the results of FoV prediction. The simulation results show that our proposed algorithm is superior to other algorithms in improving the value of total users' QoE and reducing the MTP delay.

Development on Equipment Operation Training and Intelligent Maintenance System based on Virtual Reality (VR) Technology for the Passenger Boarding Bridge

In order to improve the automation level of passenger and freight ro-ro terminals and to build smart ports, an equipment operation training and intelligent maintenance system based on VR technology for passenger boarding bridges was developed. The system mainly includes VR operation guidance subsystem, data support and service subsystem, network connection and transmission subsystem, boarding bridge operation training subsystem and operation condition monitoring and diagnosis subsystem. This system can realize intelligent training of the boarding bridge and full-time operation condition monitoring.it will greatly improve the efficiency of operation and maintenance of boarding bridge.

Sağlık İletişiminde Youtube Kullanımı: Artırılmış ve Sanal Gerçekliğin Kullanım Alanları Üzerine Bir İnceleme

In this study, the use of social media within the scope of health communication will be discussed. The study aimed to analyze the social media use of companies in the health sector using augmented and virtual reality within the scope of health communication. The study is essential since there is no research on health communication of health companies using augmented and virtual reality technology. While the health companies using the augmented and virtual reality technology of the universe of the study constitute the sample, the Youtube channel of the XRHealth company is selected by random sampling method among these companies. The Youtube channel contents of XRHealth company were analyzed with the content analysis method in the Maxqda program, and the following results were obtained: Shares were made about primary health care services, health promotion/development, and preventive health services. Among these topics, preventive health services were mainly included. Within the scope of preventive health services, videos about doctors, patients and pieces of training for both doctors and patients are published. In addition to rehabilitation services within primary health care services, virtual and augmented reality services and diagnosis-treatment services were included in the video contents. Content aimed at least promoting and improving health has been produced on the Youtube channel. As a result, a high concentration of protective and primary health care services in video content reveals the importance of AR and VR technology in terms of health education in society.

Virtual reality and travel anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: the moderating role of blockade intensity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deprived travelers of the right to continue their travel or leisure activities, while creating concerns about the safety of travel. In view of the great impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travelers, we discussed the impact of virtual reality on travel anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considered the regulatory effect of blockade intensity. In order to explore the relationship between virtual reality and travel anxiety in depth, this study conducted a questionnaire survey on 299 Chinese tourists who had experienced virtual reality activities related to travel, and empirically analyzed the questionnaire data using SPSS 26 software. The results show that virtual reality has a significant negative effect on travel anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e., virtual reality technology can provide a safer virtual travel experience for people and reduce their travel anxiety. At the same time, the relationship between virtual reality and travel anxiety varied to some extent depending on the intensity of the lockdown in each region, with the mitigating effect of virtual reality on travel anxiety being enhanced by high levels of lockdown. Therefore, we believe that although lockdown policies are necessary for some time to come, travel companies need to make further efforts to provide more convenient virtual reality services to alleviate travel anxiety caused by COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown to tourists. At the same time, virtual reality opens up new ideas for travel businesses under the impact of COVID-19 and contributes to the sustainable development of the travel industry.

KQI Assessment of VR Services: A Case Study on 360-Video Over 4G and 5G

Extended Reality (XR) arises as one of the current cutting-edge educational and entertainment emergent technologies. This service differs from traditional video streaming approaches due to its immersive experience, which allows the user to enjoy omnidirectional multimedia. However, the service experience must be guaranteed to avoid side effects such as cybersickness or disorientation. This work presents a framework to assess 360-video service streaming performance over mobile networks through Key Quality Indicators (KQIs) using VR (Virtual Reality) HMD (Head Mounted Device). The testbed is composed of a 360-video client for DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), which playbacks multimedia content from a video server located in the cloud while KQI measuring tasks are performed in the user as on the network sides. Various metrics are collected such as resolution, frame rate, initial playback time, throughput, stall events, and round trip time (RTT), among various others. Finally, a performance comparison between LTE and 5G technologies is provided. Results from the KQI measurement highlight the potential of the new generation of mobile networks in the provision of service with high-quality levels of experience.