Exploring the Front Touch Interface for Virtual Reality Headsets

In this paper, we propose a new interface for virtual reality headset: a touchpad in front of the headset. To demonstrate the feasibility of the front touch interface, we built a prototype device, explored VR UI design space expansion, and performed various user studies. We started with preliminary tests to see how intuitively and accurately people can interact with the front touchpad. Then, we further experimented various user interfaces such as a binary selection, a typical menu layout, and a keyboard. Two-Finger and Drag-n-Tap were also explored to find the appropriate selection technique. As a low-cost, light-weight, and in low power budget technology, a touch sensor can make an ideal interface for mobile headset. Also, front touch area can be large enough to allow wide range of interaction types such as multi-finger interactions. With this novel front touch interface, we paved a way to new virtual reality interaction methods

VRpursuits: Interaction in Virtual Reality Using Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements

Gaze-based interaction using smooth pursuit eye movements (Pursuits) is attractive given that it is intuitive and overcomes the Midas touch problem. At the same time, eye tracking is becoming increasingly popular for VR applications. While Pursuits was shown to be effective in several interaction contexts, it was never explored in-depth for VR before. In a user study (N=26), we investigated how parameters that are specific to VR settings influence the performance of Pursuits. For example, we found that Pursuits is robust against different sizes of virtual 3D targets. However performance improves when the trajectory size (e.g., radius) is larger, particularly if the user is walking while interacting. While walking, selecting moving targets via Pursuits is generally feasible albeit less accurate than when stationary. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings and the potential of smooth pursuits for interaction in VR by demonstrating two sample use cases: 1) gaze-based authentication in VR, and 2) a space meteors shooting game

EVEN-VE: Eyes Visibility Based Egocentric Navigation for Virtual Environments

Navigation is one of the 3D interactions often needed to interact with a synthetic world. The latest advancements in image processing have made possible gesture based interaction with a virtual world. However, the speed with which a 3D virtual world responds to a user’s gesture is far greater than posing of the gesture itself. To incorporate faster and natural postures in the realm of Virtual Environment (VE), this paper presents a novel eyes-based interaction technique for navigation and panning. Dynamic wavering and positioning of eyes are deemed as interaction instructions by the system. The opening of eyes preceded by closing for a distinct time-threshold, activates forward or backward navigation. Supporting 2-Degree of Freedom head’s gestures (Rolling and Pitching) panning is performed over the xy-plane. The proposed technique was implemented in a case-study project; EWI (Eyes Wavering based Interaction). With EWI, real time detection and tracking of eyes are performed by the libraries of OpenCV at the backend. To interactively follow trajectory of both the eyes, dynamic mapping is performed in OpenGL. The technique was evaluated in two separate sessions by a total of 28 users to assess accuracy, speed and suitability of the system in Virtual Reality (VR). Using an ordinary camera, an average accuracy of 91% was achieved. However, assessment made by using a high quality camera testified that accuracy of the system could be raised to a higher level besides increase in navigation speed. Results of the unbiased statistical evaluations suggest/demonstrate applicability of the system in the emerging domains of virtual and augmented realities

Effective Immersive Analytics for Everyday Use

Data visualization is an important field of work that takes in uncountable amounts of indexes to create an easy-to-read interpretation of what was previously unreadable. Immersive analytics is the new field that brings 3D data visualization to virtual reality, immersing users directly into the data. Focusing on bringing humans and computers closer together through natural function can benefit the world of data science. In order to accurately utilize this field to benefit this world, principles must be laid out and observed to see which techniques and methods are best fit for an everyday immersive analytics platform. Our findings show that, within an immersive 3D environment, users that perform in a static state where no physical or virtual navigation of the environment is present is more beneficial to the interpretation of the data. While reported gender identity does not seem to affect the time to complete the given task, it seems the age of a given participant is one factor which affects the task time

Nonverbal communication in virtual reality: Nodding as a social signal in virtual interactions

Nonverbal communication is an important part of human communication, including head nodding, eye gaze, proximity and body orientation. Recent research has identified specific patterns of head nodding linked to conversation, namely mimicry of head movements at 600 ms delay and fast nodding when listening. In this paper, we implemented these head nodding behaviour rules in virtual humans, and we tested the impact of these behaviours, and whether they lead to increases in trust and liking towards the virtual humans. We use Virtual Reality technology to simulate a face-to-face conversation, as VR provides a high level of immersiveness and social presence, very similar to face-to-face interaction. We then conducted a study with human-subject participants, where the participants took part in conversations with two virtual humans and then rated the virtual character social characteristics, and completed an evaluation of their implicit trust in the virtual human. Results showed more liking for and more trust in the virtual human whose nodding behaviour was driven by realistic behaviour rules. This supports the psychological models of nodding and advances our ability to build realistic virtual humans