"Feeling" the Stretch: Enhancing Embodiment in Virtual Arm Elongation Through Spatiotemporal Modulation of...

Area of Science:

• Virtual Reality
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Perceived realism in virtual body illusions, like arm elongation, relies on congruent sensory feedback.
• Virtual Reality (VR) offers immersive experiences, but enhancing the sense of embodiment is crucial for realism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of visio-haptic stimulation on the sense of embodiment in VR.
• To identify optimal parameters for vibrotactile feedback during virtual arm elongation.
• To develop and validate a formula for optimal haptic timing in virtual body deformations.

Main Methods:

• Three experiments were conducted to test vibrotactile feedback parameters (location, duration) during virtual arm elongation.
• Optimal parameters (sequential stimulation, 500ms duration) were identified.
• A formula was derived to generalize optimal haptic timing based on elongation velocity and validated across different elongation percentages and durations.

Main Results:

• Sequential vibrotactile stimulations along the entire arm with 500ms duration per motor proved most effective for enhancing embodiment.
• A validated formula was established to generalize optimal haptic timing for virtual body deformations.
• The findings provide empirical support for specific visio-haptic parameters.

Conclusions:

• Optimized visio-haptic feedback significantly improves the sense of embodiment in VR.
• The derived formula offers a practical tool for designing more immersive virtual body deformation experiences.
• This research provides validated guidelines for enhancing realism in virtual reality applications.