The VIL (Virtual Immersive Learning) Test-Bed

The Virtual Immersive Learning (VIL) test-bed implements a virtual collaborative immersive environment, capable of integrating natural contexts and typical gestures, which may occur during traditional lectures, enhanced with advanced experimental sessions. The main aim of the paper is to describe the test-bed motivations, as well as the most significant choices, both hardware and software, adopted for its implementation. The novelty of the authors’ approach essentially relies on its capability of remarking and emphasizing results that are the output of the national project VICOM, and “putting the pieces together” in a well-integrated framework. These features, along with its high portability, good flexibility, and, above all, low cost, make this approach appropriate for educational and training purposes, mainly concerning measurements on telecommunication systems, at universities and research centers, as well as enterprises. Moreover, the methodology can be employed for remote access to and sharing of costly measurement equipment in many different fields of activity.