Virtual robot: virtual becomes reality

One of the benefits that education reaps from virtual reality (VR) is the ability to visualize, simulate and interact with virtual objects. This ability allows students to have a trial and error session before actually practicing on real objects. The article considers the idea of a virtual robot assisting students in learning. Instead of studying a physical robot in class, students can study a virtual robot on a computer at home prior to or even in the class itself. Students can immerse themselves in this digitized world and experience the sense of moving and becoming part of the robot system. This paper presents a methodology for the whole-robot 3D graphics design, integration between object modeling and VR, and the construction of real-time behavior and interactivity modification to accommodate changes in the virtual environment.