V-LAB – The Virtual Electric Machines Laboratory

Virtual Reality (VR) is the current technology wave owing to its multi-disciplinary platform involving 3D modelling and visualization tools. Creating an Electric Machines laboratory with the use of Oculus Rift, Unity3D, and Leap Motion allows students to practice Electric Machines laboratory experiments in a safe environment, helping them gain a deeper understanding of how advanced engineering tools and concepts work and apply. This improves the safety measures as students would be able to observe, visualize, and implement their required laboratory work without jeopardizing the university’s costly machines and equipment or subjecting the student to any hazards.

I. Introduction

In a traditional Electric Machines laboratory, there are several safety hazards jeopardizing students’ and faculty members’ wellbeing. These hazards range from performing experiments with high voltages to damaging costly engineering equipment. Consequently, performing experiments on electric machinery requires extensive supervision by knowledgeable faculty members or lab instructors.