The Virtual Reality Lab as a Synthetic Environment: From Strategic Approach to Practical Implement

Abstract

The Virtual Reality laboratory (VR-Lab) at the University of Twente facilitates multi-stakeholder decision making processes. Using Synthetic Environments (SE) to facilitate collaboration and to visualize consequences and dependencies of choices, the lab stimulates optimal use of available expertise. The VR-lab embodies a flexible set of VR tools, software and working methods; therefore adequate facilitation of preparation and configuration of use is essential. For this purpose, a roadmap facilitates the attuning of the intents of (potential) user and the capabilities of the provider of the SE. This publication outlines the use of the VR-lab as a Synthetic Environment, as well as the preparations that a required to make that usage purposeful and efficient.