Professor Yukang Yan and students Tianyu Zhang ’29 and Sunniva Liu ’24 in his lab were frequent visitors to Studio X over the summer to work on a research project aimed at enhancing accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students during in-person lectures. Using AR technology and feedback from DHH students, Dr. Yan’s team developed a system that integrates real-time captions, highlighted slides, and keyword explanations, reducing cognitive load and improving the lecture experience.
Studio X proved to be the perfect setting for this research because of access to a variety of resources, such as high-quality TV screens and monitors, which facilitated the presentation of lecture content. The large windows provided a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for participants, while the proximity to parking made accessibility simple and convenient. “Studio X is a fantastic place to conduct user studies,” Professor Yan noted.
“It offers all the equipment we need, from Apple Vision Pro headsets to Quest 3, and the accessibility and support from the staff made everything more efficient. If it was up to me, I’d place my lab here.”
By offering state-of-the-art equipment, technical expertise, and an ideal space for conducting studies, Studio X removed logistical and technical barriers, allowing Dr. Yan’s lab to focus on advancing this important research. This collaboration underscores Studio X’s commitment to enabling impactful XR innovation.
