THE RESPONSIVE WORKBENCH - A VIRTUAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR PHYSICIANS

The paper describes the concept of the Responsive Workbench (RW). This virtual environment was designed to support end users working on desk s, workbenches, and tables as physicians, architects and scientists wi th an adequate human-machine interface. We attempt to construct a task -driven interface for this class of users by working in an interdiscip linary team from the beginning. The system is explained and evaluated along three medical applications: medical education, a cardiological t utorial with a simulation system for ultrasonographic examinations of the heart and surgery planning. Virtual objects are located on a real ''workbench''. The objects, displayed as computer generated stereoscop ic images are projected onto the surface of a table. The participants operate within a non-immersive virtual environment. A ''guide'' uses t he virtual environment while several observers can also watch events b y using shutter glasses. Depending on the application, various input a nd output modules can be integrated, such as motion, gesture and speec h recognition systems which characterize the general trend away from t he classical multimedia desktop interface. The RW is compared with oth er common virtual reality systems as head mounted displays. First expe riences of the collaborators are drawn and future enhancements are pro posed.