Pilot 2: A cyclocross race

Cyclocross is a very popular sport in Belgium, with thousands of spectators experiencing the event at the same location and many more watching it live at home. On January 2018, the Soudal Classics cyclocross took place in Leuven. We placed 360º video cameras around the track and shot the race. This allows watching the race from different points (even from locations where the audience is not allowed to be!) and from different viewpoints around the 360º scene, and even experiencing the feeling of standing in the crowd!

DEVICES AND APPS

In order to watch the “multi-device and multi-view cyclocross race”, you need a computer to start playing the traditional video. After that, you can use an Android smartphone and/or tablet to experience additional 360º views of the cyclocross race. You can put your smartphone in a pair of VR goggles, or use a VR device, to enjoy a fully immersive experience.

Next, the recommended requirements to run the demo are indicated:

• Phone: Android smartphone (model not older than 2016, Android 6.0 or superior, Processor Snapdragon 820 or equivalent, at least 3GB RAM and WiFi)
• Tablet: Android tablet (model not older than 2016, Android 6.0 or superior, Processor Snapdragon 820 or equivalent). Similar features than for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2.
• VR goggles: You can use any stand-alone type of cardboard or plastic VR goggles (for example the Google Cardboard) in which you can easily put your smartphone.

On the PC, it is recommended to use Google Chrome Browser. On the tablets/smartphones, it is necessary to use Google Chrome Browser.

Likewise, the easiest way to associate companion screens to the main screen is by scanning a QR code on the former ones. Therefore, if your tablet or smartphone can scan QR codes, it is recommended to install/make use of a QR code scanner app. You can find many free apps for that in the Google Play app store!

NETWORK CONNECTION

All the devices to be used need to be connected to the same WiFi or mobile network in order to enjoy a synchronized multi-screen experience.

1. Click on this icon to start watching the traditional video on your main screen:

2. While watching the video on your PC, two options are available if you want to watch extra 360º scenes and interactive information on your tablet and/or smartphone, when using or not VR goggles:

2. 2. A. If your tablet/smartphone can scan QR codes, then you can enable the control of the media player (see figure below) to show the QR code:
      • If you want to use your smartphone without VR goggles (use your smartphone as a ‘tablet’), scan the QR code for the “tablet mode”.
      • If you want to use your smartphone in VR goggles to have a fully immersive experience, scan the QR code for the “VR mode”.

By pressing the same control button, the QR codes will be hidden.

• 2. B. It may be possible that your smartphone/tablet is unable to scan QR codes, e.g. because it is “plugged in” to the VR goggles (e.g. when using Gear VR), it is a VR device (e.g. Oculus Rift or HTC VIVE), or if you just did not install the app. In such cases, you can access this webpage via the web browser of the device, and click on:
     • the VR icon below to watch the 360º scenes in a VR mode:

  

2. 2. • the tablet icon below to watch the 360º scenes in a tablet mode:

2. • 
   • On the tablet version, you have some extra interactive features by clicking on portals (graphical overlays):
     – You can also switch to the views from the main (non-360º) camera, prepared for the main screen.
     – You can choose and switch between the views from four different 360º cameras, placed at different locations on the track.
     – You can have a look at the map of the cyclocross track to see where these cameras are placed and see how the track looks like.
     – At the end of the video/race, you can view a portal that shows the classification of the race.

2. • You can also click on the tablet icon above on your PC if you want to watch the 360º scenes without having a multi-screen experience. On the tablet mode, you can also switch to the views from the main (non-360º) camera, prepared for the main screen.
   • You can add as many devices as you want to the multi-screen experience!

3. Once you finish watching the contents, a questionnaire will show up. It would be great if you fill in this questionnaire, so we can know what is your opinion about the experience itself, and we can keep on creating better immersive experiences. You can also go directly to the questionnaire via this link.
4. Finally, if you wish to watch the contents again, simply choose them. If you wish to watch other contents, click here to check the available ones.

Do you have any questions?
Send a quick mail to paulien.coppens@imec.be / mario.montagud@i2cat.net