A Tele-Nursing System using Virtual Locomotion Interface

摘要

This paper describes a telecommunication system that combines locomotion interfaces which we have developed up to now with a wheelchair typed moving equipment from the viewpoint of communications that allow both shared experiences and shared emotions using VR (Virtual Reality) technologies. We proposed "Tel-E-Merge"- a system in which the user can enter the environment of another person in a remote location to carry on a conversation - and are conducting research into new VR equipment aimed at the practical application of this system. In Tel-E-Merge, we expect subconscious and nonverbal interaction to be the key point to enhance the reality of the remotely located partner. This paper explains one application for making this system a reality: a "Tele-Nursing" system. The Tele-Nursing system with realistic sensations focuses on shared experiences from the perspective of non-verbal communications between the helper and the patient in the context of nursing in a remote environment.