Method and system for manipulating objects beyond physical reach in 3d virtual environments by line of sight selection and application of pull force

A system comprising:

• a motion control user interface device configured to receive a motion signal and emit a grasping ray configured to identify at least one simulated object in a path of the grasping ray;
• and
• a computing device in electrical communication with the motion control user interface device and comprising at least one processor and a memory, the memory comprising a database comprising the at least one simulated object;
• and
• wherein the memory comprises program instructions executable by the at least one processor to:
• determine whether the at least one simulated object is graspable;
• and
• responsive to determining that the at least one simulated object is graspable, attach the motion control user interface device to the at least one simulated object using an articulation having a stretched position and a relaxed position, the articulation being in the stretched position when the motion control user interface device is attached to the at least one simulated object.

A computer-readable program product comprising program code, which when executed by a processor, causes an apparatus to perform:

• emitting a grasping ray from a motion control user interface device;
• sweeping a simulated physical area for at least one simulated object with the grasping ray emitted by the motion control user interface device;
• determining whether the at least one simulated object is graspable;
• and
• responsive to determining that the at least one simulated object is graspable, attaching the motion control user interface device to the at least one simulated object using an articulation having a stretched position and a relaxed position, the articulation being in the stretched position when the motion control user interface device is attached to the at least one simulated object.