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360° View Control by Eye Movement for Extended Reality

Project description

Eye-controlled navigation for virtual reality

Virtual and extended reality (VR/XR) technologies are transforming how people work, learn and interact by offering immersive 360° environments. However, current head-mounted displays require extensive head and body movements to explore these spaces. This often causes strain and cannot be used by people with restricted mobility. The ERC-funded EyeView360 project aims to unlock the potential of VR/XR technologies and make navigation accessible to everyone. The proposed solution involves the use of eye movements to control navigation in virtual environments. Researchers will build on previous technology to develop a proof-of-concept system and open-access toolkit to improve VR/XR ergonomics and accessibility.

Objective

Virtual/extended reality (VR/XR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) provide users with a portal to virtually infinite display space that extends all around them. This has the potential to revolutionise work, learning and leisure activities as users can enter personalised spaces from anywhere via their HMD to access 3D data, views and apps all around in 360°. However, full use of the surrounding space is only possible with extensive head and body movement as HMDs are head-coupled – prohibiting access in crowded or constrained spaces, causing neck strain during seated use, and excluding users with limited neck mobility.

The EyeView360 project will develop a proof-of-concept for a radically new idea for view VR/XR view control by eye movement – providing users with a new super-power of looking all round in virtual space from seated positions without neck strain. Use of eye movement for view control is highly innovative and challenging as it overlays the use of our eyes for seeing with a control function that manipulates our view. Basic principles for how this may be possible have been observed in the ERC Advanced Grant GEMINI, and the goal of EyeView360 is to demonstrate usability, efficiency and ergonomic benefits of view control by eye movement.

The project will develop the innovation potential through an open access toolkit designed to be customisable for uptake across VR/XR platforms, HMD devices and applications. In addition, it will develop a complete proof-of-concept for 360° video viewing as specific application use case. This will be used for extensive testing with users to validation of usability, efficiency and quality of experience.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC

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Host institution

UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER
Net EU contribution
€ 150 000,00
Address
BAILRIGG
LA1 4YW LANCASTER
United Kingdom
Region
North West (England) Lancashire Lancaster and Wyre
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Beneficiaries (1)