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3D Interfaces & Simulation

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Research Projects


VR Stroke Rehab

Stroke rehabilitation can be a lengthy and painful process. We create custom games designed to support stroke rehabilitation. Our games allow a clinician to control the game interactively, allowing a rehabilitation session to be tailored to each patient’s needs.

Our research indicates that rehab done physically and in VR have similar brain activation patterns, provided support to this approach to rehab.

Activities & Outcomes

  • This work is done in collaboration with local physical therapy facilities
  • The games and clinician controls are created by undergraduate students
  • The brain activation studies have been done with both healthy subjects and stroke survivors

Key Faculty and Collaborators

  • Brian Ricks, Ph.D.
  • Brian Knarr, Ph.D. (UNO Biomechanics)
  • Jorge Zuniga, Ph.D. (UNO Biomechanics)


Bricklayer

Bricklayer is a low-threshold infinite-ceiling system designed to teach math and computer science in ways that are engaging as well as technically meaningful. Through a variety of web apps and tools, Bricklayer facilitates a thoughtful and systematic exploration of construction techniques underlying 2- and 3-dimensional block based art (e.g., pixel art and geometric patterns) as well as the expression of such ideas in code.

Current efforts involve the creation of 3D educational video games using the Unity platform and cellular automata-based simulations of physical phenomena.

Activities & Outcomes

  • Bricklayer curriculums have been used in over 100 schools in Nebraska and Eastern Iowa across the K12 spectrum
  • Math 1120 has a Bricklayer-based curriculum and provided UNO’s first alternative to college algebra for non-STEM majors
  • $299,000 in NSF Funding
  • Publication venues include: SIGCSE, FIE, IDC, FabLearn Europe, SEKE, NCTM, and JMM

Key Faculty and Collaborators

  • Victor Winter, Ph.D.


Omaha Virtual Reality Pipeline (OVRP)

In response to the Economic Development Administration’s 2023 Build to Scale Program, under the Venture Challenge Build competition, the UNeTech Institute is establishing the Omaha Virtual Reality Pipeline (OVRP).

This regional coalition aims to accelerate technology workforce training, democratize access to opportunities, and maximize educational achievement. Building on the success of the Omaha Medical Technology Pipeline, UNeTech will lead a coalition of partners to establish a robust VR cluster.

Activities & Outcomes

  • Train 50 software developers at all stages
  • Develop six virtual reality concepts into products
  • Launch three virtual reality startups that receive at least $250,000 in external funding

Key Faculty and Collaborators

  • Victor Winter, Ph.D.
  • Henry J. Runge
  • Krystal Fox
  • Carl A. Nelson
  • Noah Wester
  • Joseph Siu
  • Ian Snyder


SmartScape

Exploring the use of Generative AI and other forms of Machine Learning applied to education. This effort includes but is not limited to (1) curriculum design, (2) using Generative AI to develop Ed Tech, and (3) embedding Generative AI and other forms of ML in the metaverse.

Activities & Outcomes

  • Exploring the art and science of prompt engineering
  • Exploring the creation of a Bricklayer-specific ChatGPTbased tutoring system
  • Exploring Generative AI-based course designs

Key Faculty and Collaborators

  • Victor Winter, Ph.D.


Spatial Computing and Metaverse Innovation: Understanding malevolent creativity and malign application of emerging technology

Project examines spatial computing, its role in extremist activities and the potential of the metaverse as a future threat landscape. We offer guidance on how the metaverse can, and currently is, manifest in terrorist and extremist activities, such as recruitment, planning, finance, and malevolent creativity. Finally, we look to identify future use-cases based on task-technology fit.

Activities & Outcomes

  • Funding: Cooperative agreement (Grant Award Number 20STTPC00001-04). DHS Office of University Programs
  • White Paper & Technical Report: “The Metaverse As A Future Threat Landscape: An Interdisciplinary Perspective”
  • Academic Journal Article: “The metaverse as a future threat landscape: An interdisciplinary perspective. Perspectives on Terrorism”
  • Supported: 3 Graduate Assistants and 2 Undergraduates

Key Faculty and Collaborators

  • Joel S. Elson, Ph.D.
  • Sam T. Hunter


Holograms & Social Presence

The main objective of this project is to explore real-time hologram communication within a telecommunication context and to understand the effect of hologram communication on emotions and perceptions. It examines the relationship between holograms and how the sense of being together may change or amplify positive messages. This project focuses specifically on how social presence and emotional responses differ between hologram communication and video communication, such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. The effort also explores the embodiment of artificial agents in holographic form and how these interactions impact users’ perceptions.

Activities & Outcomes

  • Received $180,000 funding from NRI
  • Best Paper Award from HCI in Business, Government, and Organizations (selected from 4,400+ submissions)
  • Paper published at HICSS
  • Student Thesis Completed
  • On-going experimentation

Key Faculty and Collaborators

  • Douglas C. Derrick, Ph.D.
  • Joel S. Elson, Ph. D.

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  • Omaha, NE 68182
  • Phone: 402.554.2380

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