Multi-user virtual reality is transforming towards a social activity that is no longer only used by remote users, but also in large-scale location-based experiences. Usage of realtime-tracked avatars in colocated business-oriented applications with a “guide-user-scenario” is examined for user-related factors of Spatial Presence, Social Presence, User Experience and Task Load. A user study was conducted in order to compare both techniques of a realtime-tracked avatar and a non-visualised guide. Results reveal that the avatar-guide enhanced and stimulated communicative processes while facilitating interaction possibilities and creating a higher sense of mental immersion for users and engagement.

Live streaming is becoming an increasingly popular medium for social interaction on mobile devices. However, in most cases live streaming experience is still confined to a single-viewpoint, monoscopic video stream, which, in active scenarios such as outdoor or public event broadcasting, makes it hard or even impossible for viewers to understand a remote situation. This study investigates how live stream viewing can be improved through introduction of user spatial data into video stream composition and interaction, by developing a system that allows watching multiple spatially oriented video streams in virtual spaces simultaneously, and interaction with them through voice and spatially distributed reaction buttons. According to results of a preliminary study, users show a statistically significant interest in using spatial live stream viewing and interaction features. Believing that this solution presents a novel approach to social live video streaming, the rest of the article discusses the results and possible extensions of developed system.

A visual and spatial feedback system for orientation in virtual sets of virtual TV studios was developed and evaluated. It is based on a green proxy object, which moves around in the acting space by way of four transparent wires. A separate unit controls four winches and is connected to an engine, which renders the virtual set. A new developed plugin registers a virtual object's position with the proxy object which imitates the virtual object's movement on stage. This will allow actors to establish important eye contact with a virtual object and feel more comfortable in a virtual set. Furthermore, interaction with the virtual object and its proxy can be realised through a markerless actor tracking system. Several possible scenarios for user application were recorded and presented to experts in the broadcast industry, who evaluated the potential of SpiderFeedback in interviews and by questionnaires.

Actors in virtual studio productions are faced with the challenge that they have to interact with invisible virtual objects because these elements are rendered separately and combined with the real image later in the production process. Virtual sets typically use static virtual elements or animated objects with predefined behavior so that actors can practice their performance and errors can be corrected in the post production. With the demand for inexpensive live recording and interactive TV productions, virtual objects will be dynamically rendered at arbitrary positions that cannot be predicted by the actor. Perceptive aids have to be employed to support a natural interaction with these objects.In our work we study the effect of haptic feedback for a simple form of interaction. Actors are equipped with a custom built haptic belt and get vibro-tactile feedback during a small navigational task (path following). We present a prototype of a wireless vibro-tactile feedback device and a small framework for evaluating haptic feedback in a virtual set environment. Results from an initial pilot study indicate that vibro-tactile feedback is a suitable non-visual aid for interaction that is at least comparable to audio-visual alternatives used in virtual set productions.