From: peter.joseph.kovach@medtronic.com (Peter Kovach)
Subject: Re: APPS: Modelling Human Attributes in VR
Date: 17 Aug 1995 13:15:45 GMT
Organization: Medtronic


In article <40tvjg$492@nntp5.u.washington.edu>,
hayden.mp.nsy@gnet.gov.uk (Hayden Sutherland) says:

>I am currently conducting some research into the representation of
>human beings within Virtual Environments.  I am only at the early
>stages and wanted to ask a few questions of contributors to the group.
>
>Does anyone know of any work done on the "science of human modelling in VR"
>or similar ? By this, I mean:
>
>systems for measuring facial expressions, posture etc.

Check out the VActor system.  It is used for animated character control
for conventions, etc.  It is sold here in the Twin Cities, but I fail to
remember the companies name right now. The head mounted gadget measures
facial movement for everything - eyebrows, mouthe, etc.  Eye movement 
is not tracked as best as I can remember, but of course the same laser
tracking I used for military systems could be used for eye tracking
if it was necessary and worth the cost

>
>systems for quantifying body movements (eg - arm in position x means
>stretched out etc.)
>

Of course!  Any of the tracking systems work well for this.  Personally
I have used the Ascension Flock of Birds the most. Polhemus makes a very
nice board now which fits into the PC.  They both can track MULTIPLE
body points and thus would work well for your application.  The 
University of Minnesota (as well as others), is working with laser 
tracking/scanning systems to FULLY map the moving body.  Using this
you could track the entire body or generate a full 3D model of a moving
person in real time, with a powerful enough computer ( a high end Sili-G
or other machine works fine).

Feel free to email me any time.  I have used these systems for VR 
exercise systems, game systems, etc.