Effect of viewing mode on pathfinding in immersive Virtual Reality.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• Usability Studies

Background:

• Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) are increasingly used for Virtual Reality Environments (VREs).
• Display devices can influence user performance and experience in VREs.
• Investigating the impact of HMDs on navigation is crucial for immersive VR applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare human navigation performance in a VRE using an HMD versus a laptop display.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel VR Navigation input device (VRNChair) in conjunction with an HMD.
• To assess the influence of immersion on pathfinding accuracy and task completion time.

Main Methods:

• Participants navigated a VRE using a VRNChair and Oculus Rift DK2 HMD.
• Navigational trajectories were analyzed with and without the HMD.
• Task completion time and accuracy were measured and compared between display conditions.
• Motion sickness incidence was also recorded.

Main Results:

• Navigational trajectories were more accurate when using the HMD compared to an LCD monitor.
• Task completion time did not differ significantly between the HMD and LCD monitor conditions.
• The VRNChair, when paired with an HMD, provided vestibular stimulation, potentially reducing motion sickness.

Conclusions:

• Increased immersion via HMDs can enhance pathfinding accuracy in VREs.
• The VRNChair offers a potential solution for mitigating HMD-induced motion sickness.
• Synchronized real and virtual movements enhance the VR experience and reduce discomfort.