Using Virtual Reality To Evaluate The Movements of A Soft Robot

This article presents the use of a virtual reality (VR) application to simulate the movements of a soft robot on an equipment inspection mission in offshore environments. The VR app allows users to control a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Immersion technologies have reached increasingly realistic levels of graphical representation and can assist users' spatial perception of offshore equipment and the understanding of the movements of soft robots. Tests were carried out with users, and through the application of questionnaires, points of improvement were identified for control inputs and adjustments in the representation. The evaluation revealed challenges in application performance and motion controls due to users' familiarity with VR. This study highlights the potential of immersive technologies for identifying operational requirements and improving spatial understanding of soft robots in offshore inspections.