Search

Abstract This study investigated the effects of the target size and movement distance on user performance and workload in a virtual reality (VR) environment. In a repeated-measures laboratory study, 36 participants (18 male and 18 female) performed the drag-and-drop task as a standard human–computer interaction (HCI) task with different target sizes (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 cm) and movement distances (5, 9, 13, 17, and 20 cm). Task completion time (TCT), error rate, and movement time (MT) were measured as performance indices, whereas physical load and effort were assessed as workload indices. The results demonstrated that the target size and movement distance significantly affected all performance measures and workload indices. Large target sizes produced better performance and lower workloads; however, large movement distances decreased performance and increased workload. However, sex had no significant effect on the performance or workload during the drag-and-drop tasks. The best target sizes were 2.5 and 3 cm, and the worst size was 1 cm. The best movement distances were 5 and 9 cm, and the worst distance was 20 cm. The results of this study can provide useful reference information for developing VR technology based on human factors and demonstrate that additional basic research is required to reflect the distinctive features of VR in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A variety of human factors/ergonomics (HFE) problems have been studied by researchers and developers in VR environments. This systematic review aimed to summarize important HFE issues and classify the validated instruments used to quantify them in virtual reality environments. The most representative electronic databases for this review (2013–2022) were searched for original articles. The results showed that aspects, such as cybersickness, visual fatigue, mental workload, performance, spatial presence, and usability were the most relevant HFE issues assessed, whereas some aspects, such as physical workload, posture, stress, and discomfort, were consider less often. Previous studies have neglected some human factors and ergonomic issues, such as physical ergonomics, stress, and aftereffects, such as fatigue and human error. In virtual environments, presence was an emerging human factor compared to real environments. Most techniques were unidimensional and subjective. Future studies should focus on more factors and risks associated with HFE by emphasizing objective techniques and multidimensional subjective methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]