PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTICE TO MAKE INDUSTRY AWARE OF THE FEDERAL VIRUTAL CHALLENGE. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION THAT WILL RESULT IN A CONTRACT AWARD. The United States Army Research lab (ARL), Simulation & Training Technology Center (STTC) is conducting a global challenge to explore technical solutions for recognition and award. The Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge is now called the Federal Virtual Challenge. This name change signifies clearly that the Challenge is not intended to be exclusive to virtual worlds. Virtual worlds are still a critical target platform for the Challenge, however, entries can be provided in any 3D virtual environment (games, simulations, virtual worlds, etc). It does not need to be persistent nor multi-player to apply to the Challenge. If there are questions, please contact
[email protected]. The Federal Virtual Challenge is an open, global Challenge to the world for the best implementations as demonstrated in/or with a virtual environment. The Challenge is an annual event led by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory - Simulation & Training Technology Center (STTC). The event is conducted to explore innovative and interactive solutions in virtual environments. The criteria are intentionally unbounded to encourage creative results. The benefits of entering the challenge include the potential to receive award money, travel, recognition, and an opportunity to advertise your capabilities to an interested audience. About FVC 2013 focus areas: There are two focus areas for the 2013 Federal Virtual Challenge described below. Critical Thinking/Adaptability: As training and educational systems mature, it is becoming clear that learners benefit from the development of various skills that are not built through rote learning. In a complex world, making the best choice is often dependent on the ability to use critical thinking skills to understand the problem and potential solutions. At the same time, what may have worked in the past may not be the best strategy as situations change making adaptive thinking another essential tool. This focus area explores efforts to build critical thinking and adaptability in immersive environments. For a description of what is meant by critical thinking and adaptability please go to this link. The goal is for entries to demonstrate the use of a virtual environment to build these skills, and measure learners' progress. Navigation interface into a Virtual Environment: This focus area is an exploration of how the interface into an immersive environment can be improved for the purpose of navigation. This must be done using low-cost material. The cost of material for each user should be no more than $600 USD (not counting computing platform and monitor). Functionality should include the ability to run, walk and stop at will. Crouching, crawling, jumping, climbing and gesturing action are encouraged. This must be done within a 10 ft x 10 ft (3m x 3m) space. The goal is to allow multiple users (greater than two) to function within an immersive environment. This may mean multiple players tracked within the same space or players tracked in different locations experiencing the immersive space together. Entries in the Navigation category will be recreated at the STTC Labs to evaluate functionality. All intellectual property remains with the submitter. Additional information is available at the challenge website: http://fvc.army.mil The US Army ARL STTC Primary Point of Contact information is as follows: Tami Griffith S&T Manager 12423 Research Parkway Orlando, FL 32826 Phone: 407 384-3636
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