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The Immersive Simulation Section performs advanced research in the design, development, and testing of novel user interaction techniques and interfaces. The current research focus is to develop a user interface for a three-dimensional fully immersive system that allows people to employ their whole body in a natural manner as they interact within the virtual environment (VE).

The Section has developed a breakthrough virtual locomotion control named Gaiter that lets a person move through the VE by walking-in-place. The person can move in any direction and control the length and rate of steps in the virtual world. By allowing a person to control his or her movement through the VE in a manner similar to walking in the real world, virtual locomotion affords a person's natural ability to coordinate walking with other body motions like turning the head or using the hands to manipulate virtual objects. Other interaction techniques like virtual shooting and opening a door are implemented in a way that demands the same skill, timing, and exposure to threats as those actions normally entail in the real world.