Sowmiya is an accomplished emerging technologies specialist and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. With a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's in Design Innovation and Technologies, she is a skilled engineer with expertise in virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse. Sowmiya's leadership at NCS has led her to spearhead their most innovative VR/AR/metaverse projects. As a Women Techmakers ambassador and Women wWho Code Lead, she empowers women in technology and fosters an inclusive tech community. Her expertise in virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse has made her a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the tech community. Sowmiya continues to share her knowledge at conferences and events, inspiring others to embrace the potential of these technologies.
Sub Stage 2：
Day 1 (August 30), 4:35 PM-5:00 PM
Leveraging VR Simulation to Unlock User Testing for a Built Environment
Conducting user testing for a complex built environment, such as a train station, presents a multitude of challenges, encompassing various factors that impact user experience. Even assessing seemingly minor elements, like Passenger Information Displays (PIDs), entails evaluating factors like visibility, accessibility, placement, and information architecture.
Faced with limited time and budget, our challenge was to proactively address assumptions, test user experience, and sidestep the need for physical presence. This led us to devise the solution of simulating the user experience by integrating new designs into a virtual environment.
This session will highlight our innovative approach to user testing within intricate physical settings. By employing virtual reality, we transcended spatial limitations and financial constraints, revolutionizing the testing process. Our methodology not only streamlined testing but also enabled us to scrutinize diverse user interactions and design aspects comprehensively. As a result, this study offers a paradigm shift in user testing for intricate physical spaces, providing insights that pave the way for enhanced user experiences in diverse real-world contexts.