Virtual Reality Guidance with a Haptic Vest

Help Shape the Future of Virtual Reality for Everyone!

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 or contact the project lead Craig Anderton at craig.anderton@bcu.ac.uk 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: Use your hands to explore a 3D virtual world, guided by vibrations on your back and chest directing you right, left, forward, and back – with no reliance on sight or sound.
  • Fun Activities: After testing, enjoy immersive gaming experiences, such as:
    • Boxing: Feel the full-body vibrations of punches.
    • Shooting: Experience the impact of bullets through tactile feedback.
    • Rollercoasters: Sense the rumble of the track vibrating throughout your body.
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 full body immersion in a virtual world beyond sound and vision.
  • Engage and Enjoy: Have fun with interactive games and activities after the testing session.
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 anywhere 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: Around one hour, divided into 8 blocks 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 or contact us to learn more about the study!

Contact Information:

See more of our work at Birmingham City University: Mixed Reality and Human-Computer Interaction

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 today!

We look forward to welcoming you to our study!