A Lightweight, Cross-Platform System for an Immersive Experience in Virtual Exploration of Remote Environments

Abstract

In this thesis, we present a tool that is an extension of the NAVIRE Framework and used in remote environment exploration and navigation. It is available for end users on everyday devices such as desktops and mobile devices. The tool offers the characteristic of being cross-platform and easy to use and manipulate. Cubic panoramas that are generated by the NAVIRE Framework are loaded in the tool and rendered in 3D space on the user’s device. The 3D panoramas are interactive by allowing the user to view the scene in all direction, move from one scene to another or through interaction with augmented objects. The tool is geared to be interactive in the most natural and intuitive fashion using the inputs available in the different devices of the end-user.