Development of an Economized CAVE System Emulating an HMD-Based IVR Therapy Game

In healthcare, immersive virtual reality (IVR) may be leveraged to simulate personalized and controlled environments tailored to its target demographics. Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) systems offer a more flexible and less intrusive IVR solution, prioritizing the safety and comfort of users limited by their medical conditions. In this study, researchers designed and constructed an economical CAVE system that emulates IVR experiences from head-mounted displays (HMDs) to provide a comparable experience for therapy and expedite software development. The researchers aim to assess the potential and limitations of the CAVE system to promote and facilitate its adoption for IVR therapy. The system was evaluated based on ISO 25010 standards for software product quality, focusing on the system’s functional completeness, correctness, and appropriateness. Internal assessments revealed that the CAVE system viably replicates the therapeutic environment of an HMD-based IVR therapy game, offering versatility and a potential alternative solution for IVR therapy. However, the researchers noted limitations with the projection method and possible learning curve in the current implementation and features, which could be refined in the succeeding iterations of the system. This study presented promising opportunities for adopting and scaling CAVE systems, enhancing accessibility to IVR solutions in therapeutic contexts.