Testing Future Technologies Using Simulations

This work used Virtual Reality (VR) to prototype and test early-stage devices, specifically Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) for First Responders, by employing intentionally stressful scenarios to better distinguish between designs. Positioned within the initial phases of a design pipeline, this methodology leverages virtual representations of wearables, allowing for comprehensive testing and refinement before substantial investments are made in physical prototypes. Researchers developed a versatile test platform capable of simulating various scenarios within a unified virtual environment. Using a mixed methods approach, researchers designed and built calm and stressful scenarios for a traffic stop. Researchers began with qualitative methods, confirmed via survey, to determine the factors First Responders identified as most stressful in a traffic stop. These were used to assess differentiability of HUD designs. Comparisons between low- and high-visibility displays showed, for example, that participants responded significantly more negatively to the former in high-stress scenarios, underscoring stress's role in distinguishing design quality. The platform enables virtual prototyping and early-stage testing of nonexistent devices, allowing policy and budget personnel to validate efficacy before investing heavily in physical prototypes, thereby mitigating risks and optimizing resources in the development process.