SBIR-STTR Award

Trainable 3-D Audio Rendering for Enhanced Immersion in Virtual Training
Award last edited on: 3/12/2007

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Navy
Total Award Amount
$69,999
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
N04-T014
Principal Investigator
Gail Erten

Company Information

IC Tech Inc

4295 Okemos Road Suite 100
Okemas, MI 48864
   (517) 349-9000
   ictech@ic-tech.com
   www.ic-tech.com

Research Institution

Michigan State University

Phase I

Contract Number: N00014-04-M-0219
Start Date: 7/1/2004    Completed: 4/30/2005
Phase I year
2004
Phase I Amount
$69,999
The quality of the training experience provided by virtual reality (VR) systems is directly related to the degree to which the range of human sensory modalities is stimulated. Audio cues are an essential for immersion in virtual environments, and also vital for situation awareness for soldiers. Therefore, realistic auditory cues should be part of a virtual training system. Our company IC Tech has been engaged in developing biologically inspired technologies and solutions for audio and speech processing since 1997. We are proposing, to combine our audio signal processing technology and know-how with the expertise of our collaborators to develop dependable 3-D audio rendering for soldiers. Our goal is realism to preserve both the spatial and temporal qualities of the `real' cues and to create, to the extent possible, a state of mind consistent with the real experience. Our Phase I investigation will involve selecting the best sound delivery front end, as well as the optimum algorithms for creating 3-D auditory cues. Then, we will study the calibration needed to accommodate individual variations and follow that by the integration of position sensors for an interactive experience and synchronization with visual scenes. Finally, we will formulate a training efficacy assessment plan to establish that the lessons learned in the virtual environment transfer to the real one

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
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Phase II Amount
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