VR-HYPERSPACE
VR-HYPERSPACE is an FP7 project funded under the AAT workprogramme. The goal of the project is to improve aircraft passengers’ comfort in the year 2050 and beyond by creating flexible and adaptable solutions which allow passengers to personalise and adjust their on-board experiences to reduce discomfort through the use of virtual illusions.
The overall aim is to carry out fundamental research and development leading to a paradigm shift in relation to aircraft passenger comfort. By bringing together state-of-the art research in neuroscience, psychology of perception and future visions of virtual and mixed reality technologies, we will investigate the use of positive illusions that will enable the passenger to feel well, in an extended or alternative space, able to carry out a variety of activities and still feel comfortable while in a limited space.
Increasing the physical parameters (e.g. seat width or space between seats) of commercial aircraft to increase comfort is generally unfeasible and would increase airline costs in terms of re-designing the aircraft, reducing the number of passengers who can be accommodated, and therefore increasing associated carbon emissions per head. In comparison, a radical approach involving virtual and mixed reality could increase passenger comfort at a relatively low cost to both the airlines and the environment.
For more information, please contact Harshada Patel.