Building Kinect-Enabled Virtual Environments with Unity 3D Game Engine

Game play and the gamification of tasks have been used to aid learning and stimulate mental growth. Computer based gaming systems, such as Microsoft’s sensor, Kinect for Xbox One (Kinect), can facilitate complex task practices, enhance sensory feedback, and motivate action observation in relevant modes of exercise as opposed to standard physiotherapy. My research aims to create a low-cost, virtual reality application that bridges game play and rehabilitation while exploring innovative possibilities in physical therapy and motion tracking.

This adaptation of an existing concept combines the expertise from physical therapists with the ease and accessibility of motion-controlled computer games. Because of their motivating and feedback-rich gaming opportunities, virtual environments and applications become not only accessible rehabilitation tools for patients, but also important resources for student involvement in the Northeastern University Rehabilitation Games and Virtual Reality Lab. While at the Canadian Undergraduate Computer Science Conference (CUCSC), it was very rewarding and interesting to get the opportunity to listen to other students talk about subjects ranging from social assistive chat bots to using deep learning to aid in stopping ISIS.

Attending this conference reminded me that I chose to research under Dr. Danielle Levac in order to innovate how we use the technology, and that the purpose of this innovation is to improve and better human life. I research to push the boundaries of what we know about Unity and the Kinect, but I push those boundaries with the hope of helping others in the near future.

Conference Travel Fund Blog Post by Mfoniso Inoyo
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering ’20