Non-Visual Virtual Reality Navigation

Experience audio and vibration-only 3D virtual movement

Introduction

Are you living with a visual impairment and passionate about cutting-edge technologies? We invite you to participate in an exciting virtual reality (VR) study designed to make VR accessible to all users.

Submit your interest on the Microsoft Forms registration page (opens in a new tab) or contact the project lead Craig Anderton at craig.anderton@mail.bcu.ac.uk (opens email client) to get involved!

What’s Involved:

  • Innovative VR Experience: Wear an advanced VR headset and comfortable vest equipped with 40 vibration motors that provide tactile feedback all around your body.
  • Interactive Navigation: Move around and explore a 3D virtual world, guided by spatialised audio and vibrations on your body and hands directing you to distant virtual locations.
  • Unique Movements: Experience fun new movement methods that are only possible in a virtual world:
    • Joystick: Tilt your thumb to move.
    • Teleportation: Instantly jump to distant locations.
    • Arm Swinging: Move your hands up and down to control your speed.
A modern virtual reality headset with two handheld controllers
Meta Quest Pro VR headset to be used in testing

Why Participate?

  • Contribute to Accessibility: Your involvement will help researchers develop VR systems that utilise senses beyond vision, making virtual environments more inclusive.
  • Experience Cutting-Edge Technology: Try an advanced VR headset, controllers that track your hand movements in 3D space, and a wireless haptic vest in a supportive setting.
  • Full Body Immersion: Experience spatial audio and full body tactile immersion in a 3D virtual world beyond vision.
  • Engage and Enjoy: Have fun within the interactive VR environments by experiencing innovative movement methods not possible in real life.
A high-tech haptic vest with multiple vibration motors embedded on both the chest and back
bHaptics vest with 40 motors

Where & When:

Location: In-person testing available either at Birmingham City University or at a convenient location near you in the UK. You can choose to travel to us, or we can travel to you.

Dates: Ongoing recruitment – join us at your convenience!

Study Length: Between 60 and 90 minutes, divided into different movement routes to allow for frequent resting periods if required.

The main building of Birmingham City University with modern architecture
Main city centre campus in Birmingham

Who Can Join:

Individuals with visual impairments interested in technology, virtual reality, and haptic feedback devices.

How to Get Involved

Sign up via the Microsoft Forms registration page (opens in a new tab) or contact us to learn more about the study!

Contact Information:

Read more about our work at Birmingham City University: Human-Computer Interaction Research Centre (opens in a new tab)

Aerial view of Birmingham City University's STEAMhouse campus building
Aerial view of STEAMhouse in Birmingham

Join Us!

Join us in pioneering accessible VR technology and help create a more inclusive digital world.

Your participation can make a significant impact in shaping the direction of accessible VR experiences.

All involvement is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any stage without repercussion.

Submit your interest on the Microsoft Forms registration page (opens in a new tab) today!

Read our in-depth Information Sheet (opens in a new tab) and Consent Form (opens in a new tab) for more details.

Email the project lead Craig Anderton at craig.anderton@mail.bcu.ac.uk (opens email client) if you have any questions.

We look forward to welcoming you to our study!