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Oliver Hein, Felix Dietz, Bastian Pfleging, Florian Alt
BikECG - A VR Bicycle Simulator Concept that Integrates Physiological Data and Tele-Cycling
In CHI EA '24: Proceedings of the CHI 2024 Workshop "CyclingHCI". April 19, 2024. (bib)

Different fitness levels during group cycling tours pose a challenge and have a negative impact on fairness, motivation and inclusivity within the cycling community. To solve this problem, we present a novel, physiology-adaptive Virtual Reality (VR) bike simulator concept. Using a road bike mounted on a Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer and a Varjo XR-3 HMD, we implemented a VR bicycle simulator using Python and Unity 3D. Real-time ECG data acquisition via a Polar H10 chest strap enhances adaptive capabilities and provides a versatile framework for investigating the dynamic relationship between virtual experiences and physiological responses. This collaborative project, involving two universities, aims to explore tele-cycling and physiologically adaptive scenarios, with a second simulator under construction to expand the possibilities. The integration of real-time physiological monitoring improves the adaptability of the simulation, making it a valuable tool for studying human responses in VR-based cycling scenarios.