Slightly Stretching Your Arm's Reach May Improve VR Interaction: The Optimal Interaction Zone in a Memory Task

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality Studies
• Usability Engineering

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) systems require effective interaction techniques for optimal user performance.
• Spatial distance significantly impacts user experience and task efficiency in VR environments.
• Understanding the interplay between interaction methods and distance is crucial for designing intuitive VR interfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the Go-Go technique and ray-based Laser selection in VR.
• To identify optimal distance ranges for minimizing motor and cognitive load in VR tasks.
• To investigate how interaction methods and spatial distance affect user performance and subjective experience.

Main Methods:

• A memory task was administered to 41 participants in a virtual reality environment.
• The Go-Go technique and Laser selection were compared across eight target distances (0.67x to 4x arm length).
• User performance metrics (efficiency, workload) and subjective experience (embodiment) were recorded.

Main Results:

• A trade-off was observed between embodiment and efficiency across interaction methods.
• Go-Go technique enhanced user embodiment, particularly at distances of 1.2x-1.4x arm length.
• Laser selection demonstrated higher efficiency and lower workload, especially at distances of 1.4x-2.2x arm length.

Conclusions:

• The choice of VR interaction technique should be informed by the target distance to optimize user performance and experience.
• Findings provide practical guidelines for developing adaptive, distance-aware VR systems.
• Balancing embodiment and efficiency through appropriate interaction method selection is key for VR design.