Integration of a Precise Indoor Position Tracking Algorithm with an HMD-Based Virtual Reality System

In this paper, we present a new system for a highly immersive virtual reality experience utilizing head-mounted displays (HMDs) with accurate indoor-position tracking abilities. The system is designed to have six degrees of freedom in the virtual world, which allows users to physically move around in the real world while wearing the wireless system with an HMD. Three-dimensional X, Y, and Z coordinate data are estimated in real time using ultrasonic sensors. In addition, the pitch, roll, and yaw values are also measured. Unlike previously developed systems which require external input devices to move in the virtual environment, our system provides a natural virtual reality experience by precisely matching the physical movements in a real world to those in a virtual environment. Results show that the system is able to estimate accurate positions of a user, and delivers a highly immersive virtual/mixed reality experience.