Mixed reality: How to safely use a chainsaw?

Workplace accidents happen everyday due to unsafe practices, unadequate training and misuse of dangerous tools. In order to provide appropriate and safe training environment to workers who have to manipulate complex instruments, German researchers have come up with a virtual chainsaw, a simulation tool introducing the concept of "mixed reality". The latter technology combines virtual reality and the real world, which in this particular case comprises a photorealistic projection of a farm environment, a chainsaw modified with sensors and vibration motors, and a computerized vision software in a camera attached to a perspex tree trunk.

Here is a complete explanation of the technology. The user, in a farm like virtual environment, starts the chainsaw by pulling the starter. He then applies the roaming engine, more precisely applies the real cutting bar, to the perspex tree trunk which in fact is no more than a thermoplastic and transparent plastic tube. The movable perspex tube offers the resistance wood would usually offer the saw in a real situation. The camera plays a role in determining the saw's precision and position on the log as well as projecting the virtual action on the screen. The user can actually see chips of wood flying around while cutting through the virtual log. After completing the experience, the resulting slize and weight are shown on the screen.

Due to the success of the Cybersaw, researchers are now working on taking the technology to medical simulation environments.

References:

Roland Piquepaille's Technology Trends, A virtual chainsaw to train lumberjacks, available at http://www.primidi.com/2007/08/16.html

Fraunhofer IGD, A Mixed Reality Chainsaw simulation, available at
http://a4www.igd.fraunhofer.de/projects/45/

Gizmag.com, Mixed reality chainsaw simulator provides safe, effective training platform, available at http://www.gizmag.com/go/7732/