VR welding kit: welding training simulation in mobile virtual reality using multiple marker tracking method

Abstract

Welding simulation design using virtual reality (VR) is a challenge, as numerous developments and research in the mechanical engineering fields are involved. One of the key challenges is the improvement of realism by considering a mixed system of real and virtual equipment. A conceptual design and research management framework is currently lacking which leveraging the combination of VR and marker tracking techniques. This study seeks to examine and evaluating the use of mobile VR in welding training and how multiple markers tracking methods can be incorporated to overcome the current problems in VR for welding training simulation. In this study, the VR Welding Kit application is created by utilizing the Vuforia tracking engine to provide an alternative interaction for mobile devices. The results of the experiment revealed a benchmark comparison with Oculus Quest, the high-end VR system, to investigate the efficiency of the proposed multiple marker interaction technique. Performance for both devices was recorded. The System Usability Scales (SUS) have also been used to obtain users' acceptance rates using these devices. The Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was used to assess the cybersickness of participants. The performance results show that mobile VR have a moderate gap completion time in seconds if compared to Oculus Quest. The SUS scored a satisfactory result which is 73.33. Besides, SSQ surveys result shows that most of the participant felt the simulation sickness was minimal.