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Effects of self-avatar cast shadow and foot vibration on telepresence, virtual walking experience, and cybersickness from omnidirectional movie

Authors :
Junya Nakamura
Yasushi Ikei
Michiteru Kitazaki
Source :
i-Perception, Vol 15 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
SAGE Publishing, 2024.

Abstract

Human locomotion is most naturally achieved through walking, which is good for both mental and physical health. To provide a virtual walking experience to seated users, a system utilizing foot vibrations and simulated optical flow was developed. The current study sought to augment this system and examine the effect of an avatar's cast shadow and foot vibrations on the virtual walking experience and cybersickness. The omnidirectional movie and the avatar's walking animation were synchronized, with the cast shadow reflecting the avatar's movement on the ground. Twenty participants were exposed to the virtual walking in six conditions (with/without foot vibrations and no/short/long shadow) and were asked to rate their sense of telepresence, walking experience, and occurrences of cybersickness. Our findings indicate that the synchronized foot vibrations enhanced telepresence as well as self-motion, walking, and leg-action sensations, while also reducing instances of nausea and disorientation sickness. The avatar's cast shadow was found to improve telepresence and leg-action sensation, but had no impact on self-motion and walking sensation. These results suggest that observation of the self-body cast shadow does not directly improve walking sensation, but is effective in enhancing telepresence and leg-action sensation, while foot vibrations are effective in improving telepresence and walking experience and reducing instances of cybersickness.

Subjects

Subjects :
Psychology
BF1-990

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20416695
Volume :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
i-Perception
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2ddc7bd35a4d89a481ec61547f677d
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/20416695241227857