Walk Through a Virtual Museum with Binocular Stereo Effect and Spherical Panorama Views Based on Image Rendering Carried by Tracked Robot

Abstract

In order to provide users with a virtual tour which have walk through and binocular stereoscopic experience, the authors propose a method to use the tracked robot carrying a single panoramic camera. Panorama photos of continuous movement are taken by the tracked robot so that the audience can wander freely in the virtual museum. Panoramic photos are captured at the distance calculated according to requirements of stereo vision comfort. The recorded photos are used to make binocular panoramic video. Two adjacent panoramic images are used as stereoscopic pairs so as to realize comfortable stereoscopic vision. Because only one camera is used, not only the amount of data is reduced, but also the occlusion issue is avoided. Videos can be shot at different distances according to the rules of visual comfort so that the users can enlarge the picture and choose an appropriate spacing.