Publikationen

Production companies typically have not utilized video content and video technology in factory environ-ments to a significant extent in the past. However, the current Industry 4.0 movement inspires companies to reconsider production processes and job qualifications for their shop floor workforce. Infrastructure and machines get connected to central manufacturing execution systems in digitization and datafication efforts. In the realm of this fourth industrial revolution, companies are encouraged to revisit their strategy regarding video-based applications as well. This paper discusses the current situation and selected aspects of opportu-nities and challenges of video technology that might enable added value in such environments.

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on 360° video storytelling. It describes the 'Virtual Director' concept, an enabling technology that was developed to personalize video presentation in applications where multiple live streams are available at the same time. Users are supported in dynamically changing viewpoints, as the Virtual Director essentially automates the tasks of a human director. As research prototypes on a proof-of-concept maturity level, this approach has been evaluated for personalized live event broadcast, group video communication and distributed theatre performances. While on the capture side a 180° high-resolution panoramic video feed has been used in one of these application scenarios, so far, only traditional 2D video screen were investigated for playout. The research question this paper aims to contribute to is how technology in general, and an adaptation of the Virtual Director concept in particular, could assist users in their needs when consuming 360° content, both live and recorded. In contexts when users do not want to enjoy the freedom to look into any direction, or when content creators want them to look in a certain direction, how could the interaction with and intervention of a Virtual Director be applied from a storytelling point of view?