Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab | NC State ISE
Welcome to the Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab
Karen Chen leads the Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Lab (VARL) at the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Additionally, she is a 2021 alumna of the E.U.-U.S. Frontiers of Engineering of the National Academy of Engineering.
As the Principal Investigator (PI) for a $1.3M award (2021-2024) funded by the National Science Foundation, Chen’s work focuses on how immersive Virtual Reality (VR) can enhance students’ understanding of scale and number sense. In this research, students engage with VR technology to experience and physically measure scientific objects in a Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). By scaling up or down, learners can “grow” or “shrink” and explore different powers of ten (10x). For example, a student can shrink from the size of an asteroid to the size of a virus. Watch the video below to see this shrinking experience in action.
About the VARL
Virtual Reality (VR) is an interactive, computer-generated environment that immerses users in unique and dynamic settings. For instance, you can travel to ancient civilizations or visit fictional lands. Conversely, Mixed Reality (MR) blends the real world with computer-generated elements, creating a more interactive experience. Augmented Reality (AR) is a form of MR that adds extra layers of information to the physical world around you. This allows for deeper understanding and richer interaction with real-world objects.
Our lab is equipped with cutting-edge tools, such as the four-sided Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE), full-body tracking systems, head-mounted displays (HMDs), and head-up displays (HUDs). Additionally, motion tracking devices help improve the user experience in these virtual environments.
We are particularly interested in exploring how humans interact with VR and AR technologies. Specifically, we want to understand how these experiences differ from the real world, both in terms of user perception and behavior. Furthermore, we are investigating the potential applications of VR and AR in solving real-world problems and enhancing various industries.
If you’re interested in learning more, we invite you to check out our Projects, People, Outreach, and Publicationsto discover how VR and AR are transforming education and other fields.
Watch the VR Team on The CW22
Dr. Karen Chen and her research team (Tyler Rose, Rebecca Ellis, and Ken Chen) talk with The CW22’s Bill LuMaye about their virtual and augmented reality research and the VR/AR Lab.
Students Ken Chen and Tyler Rose discuss the differences between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Professor Karen Chen and student Rebecca Ellis discuss how they are using VR/AR in their research.
Karen Chen takes viewers on a tour of her VR/AR laboratory.