omnieyeballVR: a Collaborative 360-Degree communication System for VR

We present a novel collaboration tool, OmniEyeballVR, which is an asymmetric system that supports communication and collaboration between a VR user (occupant) and multiple non-VR users (designers) across the virtual and physical platform. OmniEyeballVR allows designer(s) to explore the VR space from any point of view using two view modes: a 360° first-person mode and a third-person mode. In addition, a shared gaze awareness cue is provided to further enhance communication between the occupant and the designer(s). Finally, the system has a face window feature that allows designer(s) to share their facial expressions and upper body view with the occupant for exchanging and expressing information using nonverbal cues. We conducted a user study to evaluate the OmniEyeballVR, comparing three conditions: (1) first-person mode with the face window, (2) first-person mode with a solid window, and (3) third-person mode with the face window. We found that the first-person mode with the face window required significantly less mental effort, and provided better spatial presence, usability, and understanding of the partner’s focus. We discuss the design implications of these results and directions for future research.

• Zhengqing Li, Theophilus Teo, Liwei Chan, Gun Lee, Matt Adcock, Mark Billinghurst, and Hideki Koike. 2020. OmniGlobeVR: A Collaborative 360-Degree Communication System for VR. In Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS ’20). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 615–625. (ACM DL).