Virtual reality simulations of life in floating cities

Sea level rise triggered by climate chance is likely to inundate many coastal cities, generating growing interest in floating structures that are more resilient to such hazards. This paper describes the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations to simulate the structural motions of large floating structures. The researchers developed a VR framework that accurately replicates the motions of a modular floating structure (MFS) under various wave conditions. Using Unity3D, they created a virtual environment representing an apartment on a floating city, incorporating simulated sway, heave, and roll motions with 96-98% accuracy.

The study demonstrates VR's potential as a tool for evaluating human comfort and habitability in floating structures before construction. This approach could inform the design of floating cities by allowing stakeholders to experience and assess living conditions under different sea states. The research highlights the need for further development in motion simulation algorithms and integration with physical motion simulators to provide a fully immersive experience for design evaluation and decision-making in novel urban environments.