Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ImAc (Immersive Accessibility)
Período documentado: 2018-10-01 hasta 2020-03-31
During many previously EU funded projects, accessibility services have been tested to adapt to new technologies such as the switch from analogue to digital broadcast (DTV4ALL) and the new connected media ecosystem (HBB4ALL). The successful deployment of accessibility services by national broadcasters has also proven that is is possible for a common shift in attitudes in the importance of accessibility services. ImAc is seeking the same success story within the new immersive environment adding the expertise from across the ImAc partners in order to provide the tools to enhance immersive video experiences with a full layer of accessibility. To do so, the end-user is placed at the centre of the project, following an user-centric design process, thus integrating the voice of the audience with accessibility needs, the broadcasters that need to distribute such contents and content producers.
ImAc addresses 5 specific objectives:
Objective 1: Create accessible and fully personalised services for all citizens
Objective 2: Deliver novel resources for the broadcasting industry to provide adapted content ensuring accessibility in immersive environments
Objective 3: Demonstrate the tools and platform in open pilots
Objective 4: Work towards standardisation of accessibility data in an immersive content environment
Objective 5: Maximize impact on society delivering real and useful solutions
During the whole process, ImAc followed a user centered apprroach and during the different iterations carried out, more than 1000 users have participated in requirements and evaluation activities. Around 250 users, professionals or consumers, provided direct subjective feedback about the tools and the viewing experience, while data from +850 users and +1000 sessions were gathered through open pilot activities by the end of the project. The resulting data has been analysed to understand the consumption patterns of the audience in a real environment.
In terms of dissemination and communication, the work performed in ImAc is outstanding. ImAc has produced 34 scientific articles, 30 of them during the second period, it has been present in a vast number of conferences and demonstrated its results in relevant forums. In terms of standarization ISO/IEC/ITU has accepted to open a SG on Immersive Environments in the series “Accessibility Interaction” JTC1 SG35 in the family 20071-30 Immersive Environments with very relevant presence of ImAc partners. Last but not least, in terms of exploitation, 4 specific collaboration actions have been launched towards the exploitation of ImAc results: during the last month of the project 2 regional broadcasters have agreed to integrate and test ImAc tools, while 2 research projects will use ImAc open source tools in their activities. In addition to that, the ImAC partner RBB has launched a set of 10 new 360 videos as part of their strategy for Covid situation, and the ImAc platform will be used to offer such contents with a layer of accessibility.