We developed a VR system that allows users to relive famous historical speeches and presentations as if they were the speakers themselves. Through this experience, we aim to help users think about the feelings the original speakers had while facing their audiences, and to encourage them to consider and understand the historical significance of these speeches and presentations.
System
To promote this immersive experience, our system implements the following features:
- Environmental reproduction through VR
- Presentation of speech/presentation dialogue subtitles, slide advancement instructions, and gesture cues
- Virtual audience that reacts according to the progress of the speech
Users wear a head-mounted display and hand controllers to deliver speeches or presentations in the virtual space. The avatar’s pose in the virtual space is synchronized with the user’s pose through the hand controllers. The virtual space design is prepared according to the content. Currently, we are conducting research based on Steve Jobs’ presentation at the 2007 Macworld, so we use a simulation of a large presentation venue.
Virtual audiences are placed in the venue. The virtual audience is designed to respond in various ways as the speech or presentation progresses. For example, they turn toward the screen when slides change, look toward the user when they make large movements, and applaud according to the content of the speech. Each virtual audience member has individual characteristics, so they react differently based on their respective interests.
Various instructions are presented in the user’s field of view in accordance with the progress of the speech/presentation, and users follow these cues to experience the presentation. Primarily, dialogue subtitles (①) and gesture instructions (②) are displayed, and icons indicating standing position (③) and slide advancement timing (④) are shown as needed.
