THE EFFECT OF LOCOMOTION TECHNIQUE ON PRESENCE, FEAR AND USABILITY IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT
Bernd Abel · 2005
In this study the effects of locomotion techniques were investigated in virtual worlds made for phobia treatment. Three locomotion techniques walk-in-place, hand-controlled viewing and gaze-directed steering were systematically varied for several taks in different virtual worlds. A series of variables were measured to show the effects on presence, fear, avoidance, and simulator sickness. In the experiment was found that more natural locomotion techniques contribute to higher levels of presence and fear. This researh provides guidelines to improve the usability of systems for virtual reality exposure therapy.