Abstract
We propose an immersive virtual reality environment configured in a swimming pool. This environment realizes various forms of underwater entertainments and enhanced swimming training environment. However, we have to overcome some technical challenges caused by water and surround-screen. In this research, we focused on investigations on issues related to infrared (IR) radiation absorption and reflection on the walls of the swimming pool and proposed the solutions. The difficulty on position tracking is that existing motion capture systems using IR or blue lights are not feasible for an underwater immersive projection environment. The reason is IR is absorbed, and visible lights are unstable in complex backgrounds. Therefore, we propose a circular-polarization-based technique for position tracking using visible-light LED markers. In addition, we also took investigations on an optical distortion in the water, and reflections causing a decline of immersion.
