Projects

Using Virtual Reality and Robotics Technologies for Vocational Evaluation, Training and Placement

Using Virtual Reality and Robotics Technologies for Vocational Evaluation, Training and Placement

The goal of this project is to improve the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation services by providing an environment to assess and train individuals with severe disabilities and underserved groups in a safe, adaptable and motivating environment. Using virtual reality, simulators, robotics, and feedback interfaces, this project will allow the vocational rehabilitation population to try various jobs, tasks, virtual environments and assistive technologies prior to entering the actual employment setting. This will aid job evaluators and job coaches assess, train and place persons with various impairments. Using virtual reality, simulators, robotics, and feedback interfaces the proposed project will:

• Develop layered 3D virtual reality simulation and controlled physical environments for several job-related tasks (customer service, hospitality industry, and production environments)
• Assess DVR clients' work abilities with their trainers and find possible work venues using virtual reality and controlled physical environments.
• Train DVR clients on the job of their choice of possible job environments based on the conducted assessments.
• Job placement and follow-up for feedback and adjustments.

The proposed project will simulate job environments such as a commercial kitchen, an industrial warehouse, a retail store or other potential locations that an individual will likely work. Features of the simulator could include layering of colors, ambient noise, physical reach parameters and various user interfaces. The complexity of the simulated job tasks could be varied depending on the limitations of the user to allow for a gradual progression to more complex tasks in order to enhance job placement and training.