Augmented reality-based radial and lateral motion stimuli alter aiming performance in dart throwing

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Motor Control

Background:

• Augmented reality (AR) technology offers novel ways to create immersive sensory experiences.
• Optic flow, the perceived motion of objects in visual scenes, influences human motor control and spatial perception.
• Understanding how artificial optic flow affects motor skills is crucial for developing effective AR applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different three-dimensional (3D) perceived motions, generated via AR, on aiming motor skill in dart throwing.
• To determine which specific optic flow patterns enhance or impair aiming accuracy and consistency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an augmented reality (AR) head-mounted display to present 3D optic flow stimuli (random white spheres).
• Assessed six distinct motion patterns: random, lateral, radial expansion, radial contraction, combined random/radial expansion, and diagonal radial expansion.
• Compared aiming accuracy in dart throwing under each motion condition against a control (no motion).

Main Results:

• Radial expansion and lateral optic flow motions significantly biased dart throwing positions.
• Radial contraction motion was found to reduce lateral variance in dart throws.
• Other tested motion patterns did not show significant effects on aiming accuracy.

Conclusions:

• AR-generated perceived motion, specifically radial expansion, lateral, and radial contraction patterns, can modulate motor skill performance in aiming tasks.
• These findings suggest that AR-based illusions of motion perception hold potential for enhancing motor skills by reducing errors and improving consistency.
• Further research is warranted to explore the full scope of AR-induced motion perception effects on motor control.