An Optimized Spatial Audio System for Virtual Training Simulations Navy STTR FY2004 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2004 Topic No.: N04-T014 Topic Title: An Optimized Spatial Audio System for Virtual Training Simulations Proposal No.: N045-014-0411 Firm: VRSonic, Inc 1025 N. Fillmore St. Suite 200 Arlington, Virginia 22201 Contact: Hesham Fouad Phone: (703) 248-3200 Web Site: www.vrsonic.com Abstract: The objective of this proposal is to develop the requisite architecture and theoretical framework for incorporating optimized spatial auditory cues in Virtual Reality (VR) Military training systems used in training Close Quarters Battle for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (CQB for MOUT). Increasingly, combat operations are occurring in the urban environments where soldiers are fighting non-traditional warfare in unfamiliar territory. Military training systems will have to adapt to this reality by providing effective, deployable and contextual training to deployed troops. The proposed effort will lay the groundwork for developing such a training system with a primary focus on finding suitable cues for CQB room clearing tasks. Several steps are needed in order to fulfill this objective. First, auditory scene analysis will be carried out in order to determine important auditory cues for room clearing. Second, a framework and architecture will be developed for integrating optimized spatial auditory cues into training simulations. And third, research experiments will be designed and conducted in order to explore the effect of spatialization fidelity on training a room clearing task. The end result will be a dynamic, multi-modal, and deployable training system for individual combatants in CQB for MOUT environments. Benefits: This work will lead to a new understanding of the implications of spatial audio content and fedelity on virtual training simulations. The resulting training-optimized spatial audio systems will fill a growing need for effective and deployable virtual training simulation systems for military as well as homeland security training. Return