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VIRTUAL REALITY APPLICATION

TO OPEN AND CONTROL TOOLS

A research team at the University of Cambridge superhuman’, with this technology becoming ‘ a
has developed an innovative virtual reality standard for VR interactions ‘.
application that allows users to control a range
The source code and dataset have been made
of 3D modelling tools using just simple hand
publicly available so that virtual reality application
movements.
designers can integrate this innovative system into
’HotGestures’ enables users to create figures their products.
and shapes in virtual reality without the need
[ Reference: West, P., ‘VR Application gives Users
to navigate traditional menus, so that they can
“Superhuman” Ability to open
maintain an uninterrupted focus on their tasks.
and control Tools’, Electronic
The user experience is thus enhanced by reducing
Specifier, 13th. November
the cognitive load typically associated with tool
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selection in virtual environments. Users can open
and control tools in virtual reality through intuitive
gestures with a cutting motion, for example, to
activate a scissor tool and a spraying motion to
activate a spray can tool. Users can therefore
seamlessly switch between tools without having to
pause their workflow.
To accompany HotGestures, the research team
developed a neural network gesture recognition
system capable of distinguishing between ten
different gestures associated with building 3D
models. This system guarantees accuracy and
prevents false activations, making distinctions
between intentional commands and normal hand
movements.
By transcending traditional interaction methods
such as keyboards and mice, the team aims to
provide VR users with capabilities that are ‘almost

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