Survey of interactions in popular VR experiences

As the first step in a project to examine the quality of interactions in the relatively young field ofVirtualReality (VR), this study showcases the creative variation among modes of interaction. The present paper reports on a multiple case study reviewing VR applications focusing primarily on interactions. By surveying a set of popular applications, we explore the variety as well as the developing conventions within user interactions in VR. Because this research is work-in-progress we provide some preliminary insight that we can build on and discuss in upcoming studies. Our results show a wide array of different ways of interacting with such applications. Generally, these can be categorised in one of a few groups; menus, locomotion and interaction with the virtual environment. We also argue that theory from the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) can be applied to VR in regards to design of user interfaces

Best practices and metrics for virtual reality user interfaces

Master's Project (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2019Virtual Reality (VR) technology has become increasingly effective and accessible within the past decade [15]. With this increase in the technology’s prevalence and cultural significance, certain interaction techniques and design choices have emerged as the most widely used and recommended. This research effort employs a VR experiment in which multiple selection methods, interface placements, and navigation techniques are compared side-by-side, and performance metrics and preference data are collected. Both best practice and to-be-avoided methods are examined, and the performance and preference data is analyzed. Determinations made based on the data gathered are partly in-line with expectations according to best practices, partly inconclusive, and partly contrary to the expected performance and preference results. Results suggest that virtual laser pointers and tapping are equally recommendable selection methods for most VR experiences, hand-mounted menus produce the best results overall, and despite performance advantages, joystick navigation should be avoided in VR due to user comfort concerns