Project Overview
The Challenge
Virtual and augmented reality environments present unique accessibility challenges for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Traditional captioning systems don't work effectively in 3D spaces where audio sources can be positioned anywhere.
Users need captions that appear in the correct spatial location, follow speakers as they move, and maintain readability in dynamic XR environments.
The Solution
LiveCaptionsXR provides real-time spatial captioning that positions text in 3D space relative to audio sources. The system uses speech recognition and spatial audio processing to create an accessible XR experience.
Captions appear near speakers, follow their movement, and adapt to user preferences for size, color, and positioning in virtual environments.
Key Features
Spatial Positioning
Captions appear in 3D space relative to audio sources, making it clear which person is speaking in virtual environments.
- • Real-time position tracking
- • Dynamic caption placement
- • Occlusion handling
Real-time Speech Recognition
Advanced speech-to-text processing with low latency for seamless conversation flow in virtual environments.
- • Multi-language support
- • Speaker identification
- • Noise reduction
Accessibility Customization
User-configurable settings for caption appearance, positioning, and behavior to meet individual accessibility needs.
- • Font size and style options
- • Color and contrast settings
- • Position preferences
Cross-Platform Support
Works across major XR platforms including Meta Quest, HTC Vive, and Microsoft HoloLens for broad accessibility.
- • Unity integration
- • Unreal Engine support
- • WebXR compatibility
Technical Stack
XR Development
AI & Accessibility
Use Cases & Applications
Virtual Education
Enable deaf/HoH students to participate fully in virtual classrooms, workshops, and training sessions with spatial captioning.
Remote Work
Facilitate inclusive virtual meetings and collaboration sessions for teams with deaf/HoH members.
Gaming & Entertainment
Make VR games and social platforms accessible with real-time spatial captioning for voice chat and audio content.
Accessibility Impact
Meeting accessibility standards
Real-time performance
Among deaf/HoH testers
Development Process
Accessibility Research
Conducted extensive research with deaf/HoH communities to understand their needs in XR environments and existing accessibility gaps.
Prototype Development
Built initial prototypes using Unity and speech recognition APIs to test spatial captioning concepts and user interface design.
User Testing & Iteration
Conducted user testing sessions with deaf/HoH participants to gather feedback and iterate on design, positioning, and customization options.
Platform Integration
Integrated with major XR platforms and optimized performance for real-time captioning across different hardware configurations.
Future Enhancements
Advanced Features
- • Sign language avatar integration
- • Emotion detection and expression
- • Multi-language real-time translation
- • Customizable avatar representations
Platform Expansion
- • AR glasses support (Apple Vision Pro, etc.)
- • Mobile AR integration
- • Enterprise collaboration platforms
- • Educational institution partnerships
Interested in XR Accessibility Solutions?
Let's discuss how to make your virtual and augmented reality applications accessible to all users.