Desktop vs. Headset: A Comparative Study of User Experience and Engagement for Flexibility Exercise in Virtual Reality

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) technology for flexibility exercise and compare the physical outcomes, user experience, and engagement of VR desktops and VR headsets. The VR exercise application was designed using motion capture technology and exported to different VR devices. Each of the devices was used by 30 participants to perform a flexibility exercise in VR. Physical outcomes were measured using the sit-and-reach test, and user experience and engagement were evaluated using questionnaires and group discussions. The results showed that VR desktop participants had higher sit-and-reach scores. However, VR headset participants reported a more immersive experience (reality judgment) and motivation (value and usefulness). They also had higher engagement (focused attention and reward) levels than VR desktop participants. There were no significant differences between the two approaches in terms of enjoyment, effort, pressure, choice, correspondence, absorption, perceived usability, and aesthetic appeal. The study highlights the importance of considering physical outcomes, user experience, and engagement by comparing two different VR approaches for flexibility exercise. Further research is needed to explore the limitations and potential benefits of VR technology for physical activity. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-03 Full Text: PD

Evaluation de l'usage de la réalité virtuelle pour la promotion de patrimoine historique

Digital heritage applications have been widely developed through Virtual Reality (VR) technologies as known as Virtual Museum (VM). Devices and digital contents are significantly increasing which support interaction system to immerse users into VM. In order to develop interactive application, interaction is always defined before creating application up to selected platform. It depends on a given content and devices which is limited when considering switching devices. Nowadays VR technologies is rapid changing, a platform to develop application should support devices changing and also to optimize interaction system to be used in VM. However, both devices organization and contents structure on a platform is still lacking efficient management to support alternative interaction in general.We proposed a novel method for developing a VM application providing digital storytelling template to create interactive content and adaptive interaction system where an application is exportable into any device. We provide flexible editing tools for developer to manage the content structure. The interaction usage will be interpreted into a high-level abstraction and run on a low-level hardware device where interactions have been adapted. Storytelling will specify interaction behavior which can drive interaction in a virtual scene even device may be switched. Our adaptive interaction system supports to identify devices capabilities and storytelling expectation which could be selected for efficiency learning system and improve level of immersion. This implementation is useful to deploy not only for the development of digital heritage applications, but also for industrial engineering where interactive content and collaborative working are required.Les applications de patrimoine numérique ont été largement développées grâce aux techniques de réalité virtuelle, également appelées Virtual Museum (VM). Les appareils et les contenus numériques augmentent considérablement, ce qui permet le système d’interaction de faire immerger les utilisateurs dans la VM. Afin de développer une application interactive, une interaction est toujours définie avant la création d'une application sur la plate-forme sélectionnée. Cela dépend du contenu et des appareils, ce qui est limité s’il y a le changement d'appareil. A l’heure actuelle, les technologies de la réalité virtuelle évoluent rapidement. Une plate-forme de développement d’application doit supporter l’évolution des périphériques et optimiser les systèmes d’interaction à utiliser dans les ordinateurs virtuels. Cependant, l'organisation des périphériques et la structure du contenu sur une plate-forme ne font toujours pas l'objet d'une gestion efficace pour soutenir une interaction alternative en général.Nous avons proposé une nouvelle méthode pour développer une application de VM qui fournit un modèle de narration numérique pour créer un contenu interactif et un système d’interaction adaptatif dans lequel une application est exportable dans n’importe quel appareil. Nous fournissons aux développeurs des outils d’édition flexibles pour gérer la structure du contenu. L'utilisation des interactions sera interprétée dans une abstraction de haut niveau et exécutée sur un périphérique matériel de bas niveau où les interactions ont été adaptées. La narration spécifie le comportement d'interaction qui peut conduire à une interaction dans une scène virtuelle, même un périphérique peut être commuté. Notre système d'interaction adaptatif supporte l'identification des capacités des appareils et des attentes en matière de narration qui pourraient être sélectionnées pour un système d'apprentissage efficace et pour améliorer le niveau d'immersion. Cette mise en œuvre est utile à déployer non seulement pour le développement d'applications de patrimoine numérique, mais également pour l'ingénierie industrielle où un contenu interactif et un travail collaboratif sont nécessaires

Evaluation of the virtual reality usage for the promotion of historical heritage

Les applications de patrimoine numérique ont été largement développées grâce aux techniques de réalité virtuelle, également appelées Virtual Museum (VM). Les appareils et les contenus numériques augmentent considérablement, ce qui permet le système d’interaction de faire immerger les utilisateurs dans la VM. Afin de développer une application interactive, une interaction est toujours définie avant la création d'une application sur la plate-forme sélectionnée. Cela dépend du contenu et des appareils, ce qui est limité s’il y a le changement d'appareil. A l’heure actuelle, les technologies de la réalité virtuelle évoluent rapidement. Une plate-forme de développement d’application doit supporter l’évolution des périphériques et optimiser les systèmes d’interaction à utiliser dans les ordinateurs virtuels. Cependant, l'organisation des périphériques et la structure du contenu sur une plate-forme ne font toujours pas l'objet d'une gestion efficace pour soutenir une interaction alternative en général.Nous avons proposé une nouvelle méthode pour développer une application de VM qui fournit un modèle de narration numérique pour créer un contenu interactif et un système d’interaction adaptatif dans lequel une application est exportable dans n’importe quel appareil. Nous fournissons aux développeurs des outils d’édition flexibles pour gérer la structure du contenu. L'utilisation des interactions sera interprétée dans une abstraction de haut niveau et exécutée sur un périphérique matériel de bas niveau où les interactions ont été adaptées. La narration spécifie le comportement d'interaction qui peut conduire à une interaction dans une scène virtuelle, même un périphérique peut être commuté. Notre système d'interaction adaptatif supporte l'identification des capacités des appareils et des attentes en matière de narration qui pourraient être sélectionnées pour un système d'apprentissage efficace et pour améliorer le niveau d'immersion. Cette mise en œuvre est utile à déployer non seulement pour le développement d'applications de patrimoine numérique, mais également pour l'ingénierie industrielle où un contenu interactif et un travail collaboratif sont nécessaires.Digital heritage applications have been widely developed through Virtual Reality (VR) technologies as known as Virtual Museum (VM). Devices and digital contents are significantly increasing which support interaction system to immerse users into VM. In order to develop interactive application, interaction is always defined before creating application up to selected platform. It depends on a given content and devices which is limited when considering switching devices. Nowadays VR technologies is rapid changing, a platform to develop application should support devices changing and also to optimize interaction system to be used in VM. However, both devices organization and contents structure on a platform is still lacking efficient management to support alternative interaction in general.We proposed a novel method for developing a VM application providing digital storytelling template to create interactive content and adaptive interaction system where an application is exportable into any device. We provide flexible editing tools for developer to manage the content structure. The interaction usage will be interpreted into a high-level abstraction and run on a low-level hardware device where interactions have been adapted. Storytelling will specify interaction behavior which can drive interaction in a virtual scene even device may be switched. Our adaptive interaction system supports to identify devices capabilities and storytelling expectation which could be selected for efficiency learning system and improve level of immersion. This implementation is useful to deploy not only for the development of digital heritage applications, but also for industrial engineering where interactive content and collaborative working are required

Storytelling Platform for Interactive Digital Content in Virtual Museum

International audienc

Storytelling Platform for Virtual Museum Development: Lifecycle Management of an Exhibition

Part 7: Cyber-Physical SystemsInternational audienceDigital heritage applications have been widely developed through Virtual Reality (VR) technologies as known as Virtual Museum (VM). Devices and digital contents are significantly increasing and may support interaction system to immerse users into VM. Due to rapid changes of technologies, a platform to develop an exhibition should support to change devices and also to optimize interaction system used in VM. However, usually, both devices organization and contents structure on a platform is still lacking efficient management to support alternative interaction in general. The development and maintenance process of a VM exhibition must be undertaken in an integrated mode. We propose a storytelling platform for developing virtual exhibition with high-level abstractions providing adaptive interaction system. An exhibition’s lifecycle management will be useful for maintenance and service in VM when technologies evolved over time. Our framework has 2 sub-processes: development of storytelling platform and development of interaction system. A storytelling template provides a flexible service to manage an exhibition and adapt it to various devices and interaction techniques. Interaction system evaluation will be deployed to maintain an exhibition and support user learning in VM

A Study of Physical Fitness and Enjoyment on Virtual Running for Exergames

International audienceVirtual Reality (VR) technology has advanced forward in everyday life where virtual fitness is possible through physically moving around in the real world. Exergame is a video game for exercise aimed at making exercise more fun. VR exergame applies these trends together for virtual fitness with immersive game play. The VR locomotion is traveling in VR, which is commonly used in adventure role-playing games (RPG). Virtual running can be applied as a locomotion technique for VR exergames. The design of virtual running in VR exergames should be considered as an exercise for fitness and also for enjoyment. This paper proposed two motion-based locomotion techniques: ArmSwing and Squat for virtual running, which are considered as aerobic and strength exercise. These two postures were used to study how physical exertion affected players while interacting in the test scene. Usability, motion sickness, and enjoyment were assessed to analyze the differences of each posture. The results showed that motion sickness and enjoyment of ArmSwing and Squat were not different, while usability was different where ArmSwing was rated higher than Squat. The results from the interviews suggest that most players preferred aerobic exercise (ArmSwing) more than strength exercise (Squat) for a long period of exercise. However, for a short period of exercise, players preferred strength exercise more than aerobic exercise. The adventure-based RPG for exercise needs a solution design appropriate for virtual running in VR, and our results can be a guideline for developers in order to handle motion-based locomotion for VR exergames

A Comparative Study of Interaction Time and Usability of Using Controllers and Hand Tracking in Virtual Reality Training

International audienceVirtual Reality (VR) technology is frequently applied in simulation, particularly in medical training. VR medical training often requires user input either from controllers or free-hand gestures. Nowadays, hand gestures are commonly tracked via built-in cameras from a VR headset. Like controllers, hand tracking can be used in VR applications to control virtual objects. This research developed VR intubation training as a case study and applied controllers and hand tracking for four interactions—namely collision, grabbing, pressing, and release. The quasi-experimental design assigned 30 medical students in clinical training to investigate the differences between using VR controller and hand tracking in medical interactions. The subjects were divided into two groups, one with VR controllers and the other with VR hand tracking, to study the interaction time and user satisfaction in seven procedures. System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire (USEQ) were used to measure user usability and satisfaction, respectively. The results showed that the interaction time of each procedure was not different. Similarly, according to SUS and USEQ scores, satisfaction and usability were also not different. Therefore, in VR intubation training, using hand tracking has no difference in results to using controllers. As medical training with free-hand gestures is more natural for real-world situations, hand tracking will play an important role as user input for VR medical training. This allows trainees to recognize and correct their postures intuitively, which is more beneficial for self-learning and practicing