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Self and Body Part Localization in Virtual Reality: Comparing a Headset and a Large-Screen Immersive Display
Albert H van der Veer1,2, Matthew R Longo3, Adrian J T Alsmith4
1Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
|January 27, 2021
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) setups affect how people perceive their body parts, but not their sense of self. This study explored body localization in VR, finding consistent self-location despite setup differences.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Virtual Reality Studies
- Embodied Cognition
Background:
- Understanding body ownership and localization is crucial for immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences.
- Previous research has not fully clarified how different VR setups influence precise body part identification.
- Discrepancies in perceived versus physical body location can impact user experience and interaction fidelity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how participants localize their bodies and specific body parts within two distinct virtual reality (VR) environments: a VR headset and a large-screen immersive display (LSID).
- To determine if the VR setup influences the perceived location of self and body parts.
- To compare self-localization in VR with a traditional body template task.
Main Methods:
- Participants used a virtual pointer to indicate their location and the location of various body parts in both VR headset and LSID conditions.
- Distance errors in pointing to body parts were analyzed across the two VR setups.
- Self-location was assessed based on the perceived body map derived from body part pointing data.
- A paper-and-pencil body template task was conducted outside VR for comparison.
Main Results:
- Pointing accuracy to body parts varied by VR setup, with greater distortions for feet, knees, and head in the VR headset.
- Participants generally pointed to their face, torso, and limbs when indicating 'self' within the perceived body map across VR conditions.
- No significant difference was found in self-location based on the perceived body across VR setups, although physical body measurements showed differences.
- The traditional body template task showed a preference for pointing to the upper torso.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality setups influence the perceived location of specific body parts but do not significantly alter the perceived sense of self.
- The perceived body map in VR is more consistent across different immersive technologies than the precise physical localization of individual body parts.
- Findings suggest that while VR can distort body part perception, the core sense of self-location remains robust within these environments.
