Subtitling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing in immersive environments : results from a focus group

Immersive media such as virtual reality or 360º content is increasingly present in our society. However, immersive content is not always accessible to all, and research is needed on how to cater for the needs of different kinds of users. This article will review the current situation of immersive technologies and their applications in media. Also, research studies carried out so far concerning subtitling and SDH in immersive media will be discussed, as well as current implementation of subtitles in immersive content, such as VR video games or 360º videos. Finally, the results from a focus group carried out in Spain with deaf and hard-of-hearing users, as well as professional subtitlers, on how to subtitle 360º video content will be presented. The results from the focus group shed light on how to address the new implications brought by immersive media in regard to subtitling. Some of the main areas discussed in the results are: subtitle position, contrast considerations for a correct reading, and how to indicate the location of the speakers, among others. Also, results show that users are willing to accept the implementation of new features in SDH in immersive content, such as icons for non-speech information or improvements to current standard

Gyroscope induced force feedback for ball impact simulation in exergames.

A haptic feedback device for simulating batting sport haptics was designed using the resultant gyroscopic effect from rapidly reorienting spinning flywheels and integrated into a custom cricket themed virtual reality exergame. The device was capable of producing impact vibrations and a 0.1 N m torque. A within-subjects user study conducted on 16 participants, and player presence was evaluated using the Presence Questionnaire. The results of the user study were statistically insignificant due to a small sample size (p=0.153), and we were unable to reject the null hypothesis, but visual data analysis was used to identify trends that supported our hypothesis that increase haptic feedback fidelity increases presence in virtual reality batting sports exergames. Due to the statistical insignificance of these results, further research should be conducted to confirm these findings

Improving the immersion in virtual reality with real-time avatar and haptic feedback in a cricket simulation

The basis of this research is concerned with designing and implementing a system that allows a player to engage in a virtual reality (VR) game with better immersion. The research was based on the idea that an avatar generated using real-time motion capture would improve the player's immersion by increasing the perception of presence. When playing the VR games a common problem was observed. The user's avatar (Virtual agent) was not improved as most of the games were played using limited controllers. The inputs from these controllers were noted as insufficient to generate the entire body's animation. This research attempts to solve this problem by proposing/implementing full body motion capture and the establishment of the self-avatar in real time in a VR game. This involved designing a system that utilizes the effective technologies for 3D imaging, transmission and haptic feedback. The research attempts to measure the immersion by enhancing measuring instruments (Norman, 2010). It is complimented by a user-based study that involves/involved collecting both qualitative and quantitative data through questionnaire and observation