Comparing a friction-based uni-directional treadmill and a slip-style omni-directional treadmill on first-time HMD-VR user task performance, cybersickness, postural sway, posture angle, ease of use, enjoyment, and effort

Afnan Bashir; Tamara De Regt; Christian M Jones

doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103101

Back

Comparing a friction-based uni-directional treadmill and a slip-style omni-directional treadmill on first-time HMD-VR user task performance, cybersickness, postural sway, posture angle, ease of use, enjoyment, and effort

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Comparing a friction-based uni-directional treadmill and a slip-style omni-directional treadmill on first-time HMD-VR user task performance, cybersickness, postural sway, posture angle, ease of use, enjoyment, and effort

Afnan Bashir, Tamara De Regt and Christian M Jones

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, Vol.179, pp.1-13

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103101

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103101View

Published Version

Abstract

Human-computer interaction

Applied and developmental psychology

uni-directional treadmill

omni-directional treadmill

slip-style treadmill

low-friction treadmill

cybersickness

postural sway

postural instability

task achievement

walking

virtual reality

virtuix

Treadmills allow users to translate their real world walking into movement in virtual worlds. Conventional treadmills used for fitness can be repurposed for users to move around in virtual reality, but permit walking in only one direction (uni-directional). Treadmills that allow walking in any direction (omni-directional) are available, in which users walk-in-place and their feet slip on a low-friction surface. Given that users can experience cybersickness and postural instability in virtual reality, this study explored user performance and side effects of using two different walking platforms: a conventional uni-directional treadmill and a slip-style omni-directional treadmill (Virtuix OMNI). All participants (n = 46) played a game in which they collected items distributed around a virtual world. Participants moved around the virtual world by walking on the conventional uni-directional treadmill (for 10 minutes) and on the omni-directional treadmill (for 10 minutes), whilst in HMD-VR, with a 5-minute break between platforms. Measurements of cybersickness, task achievement, distance covered, posture, postural sway and user experience (ease, enjoyment, and effort) were collected. Participants experienced significantly higher total cybersickness after walking on the slip-style omni-directional treadmill compared to after walking on the uni-directional treadmill (p=.003), and significantly higher Nausea and Oculomotor cybersickness after walking on the slip-style omni-directional treadmill compared to after walking on the uni-directional treadmill (p<.001 and p=.005 respectively). Participants had lowest postural sway after using the uni-directional treadmill compared to after using the omni-directional treadmill (p=.052). Participants completed significantly more of the task (p<.001) and walked further (p<.001) on the uni-directional treadmill compared to the omni-directional treadmill, and their posture angle (back tilt angle) was significantly more forward on the omni-directional treadmill compared to the uni-directional treadmill (p<.001). Significant differences were found with participants reporting walking on the omni-directional treadmill to be more difficult (p<.001), require more effort (p<.001) and be less enjoyable (p=.005), and changing direction to require more effort (p=.010), than compared to the uni-directional treadmill. This study recommends that alternatives to slip-style locomotion treadmills be developed due the non-natural walking action required to use slip-style platforms and the consequent negative psychophysiological impacts of their use with HMD-VR.

Details

Title: Comparing a friction-based uni-directional treadmill and a slip-style omni-directional treadmill on first-time HMD-VR user task performance, cybersickness, postural sway, posture angle, ease of use, enjoyment, and effort
Authors: Afnan Bashir (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
Tamara De Regt (Author)
Christian M Jones (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Engage Research Lab
Publication details: International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, Vol.179, pp.1-13
Publisher: Academic Press
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103101
ISSN: 1095-9300
Organisation Unit: Engage Research Lab; School of Law and Society; School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99740698602621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

13 Record Views

1 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas: Computer Science, Cybernetics; Ergonomics; Psychology, Multidisciplinary

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites