Walking is a basic human activity that improves human physical and mental health. However, physical disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic have discouraged people from walking outside. To remove these limitations, a research team at Toyohashi University of Technology in collaboration with researchers at the University of Tokyo, has developed a virtual walking system for seated observers with 360° video and scene-congruent foot vibrations. The timing of foot vibrations was automatically calculated from the 360° video. They found that rhythmical scene-congruent vibrations improved the sensation of walking and the perception of ground materials. This system can convert various public and private 360° videos into realistic virtual walking experiences. This study was published in IEEE Access on 20th December, 2021.Walking is a basic human activity that improves human physical and mental health. However, physical disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic have discouraged people from walking outside. To remove these limitations, a research team at Toyohashi University of Technology in collaboration with researchers at the University of Tokyo, has developed a virtual walking system for seated observers with 360° video and scene-congruent foot vibrations. The timing of foot vibrations was automatically calculated from the 360° video. They found that rhythmical scene-congruent vibrations improved the sensation of walking and the perception of ground materials. This system can convert various public and private 360° videos into realistic virtual walking experiences. This study was published in IEEE Access on 20th December, 2021.
Walking in a 360° video with foot vibrations for seated observers
