Abstract
A VR veteran of 35 years, with 17 years in the commercial/industrial sector and another 18 years as a Professor (Chair) at the University of Birmingham. Bob is Emeritus Professor and an independent consultant in XR, Telepresence and Human Factors. He is a Chartered Psychologist and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. In the 1980s he specialised in Human Factors for defence and teleoperated subsea, nuclear and space systems, including research at the UK’s National Advanced Robotics Research Centre. One of the first Europeans to experience NASA’s VR system in 1987, he established the UK’s first industrial VR team at the Centre, developing the world’s first tactile feedback glove, "Teletact", and a unique keyhole surgery simulator, MIST, marketed for over a decade by Mentice of Sweden. After appearing on the BBC in 1993, he launched the world’s first industrial VR collaborative project, fully funded by industry. In May 1996, he became an Academician of Russia's Higher Education Academy of Sciences and was recognised by the Cosmonaut Training Centre's Director for “introducing VR to the cosmonaut space programme”. Later, he was made an Honorary Cossack at a ceremony near Starocherkassk in South Russia! He works closely with the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and hospitals across the UK, evaluating VR technologies for military medic training and for patient mental and physical rehabilitation. Bob was the UK Human Factors Integration Defence Technology Centre’s Research Director for over 6 years; many of his previous academic team’s simulation projects originated here, including mixed reality for future military command systems and defence medical training, IED disposal training and the exploitation of small unmanned air, subsea and land systems. His team also specialises in Virtual Heritage, undertaking innovative VR archaeology, maritime and drone-/submersible-based survey projects in the West Country (he is a proud born-and-bred Plymothian!). He was Team Leader for the 2020/2021 Virtual Mayflower and 1620s Barbican Project. He has received numerous national and international VR/Human Factors awards, including the MoD Chief Scientific Adviser’s Commendation for contributions to Defence Science & Technology and national and regional awards for his and his team's healthcare R&D. Bob represents the VR/AR/MR sector on the Digital Board of the Centre for the New Midlands.
