Introduction to Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) technology has come a good distance since its inception. Initially seen as a novelty, it has now turn into an integral part of varied fields, including healthcare, manufacturing, and training. The technology has improved dramatically over time, and researchers are repeatedly working to boost VR systems. One area of focus is on how the scale, location, and distance of VR interface elements, referred to as targets, affect user performance.
Understanding Target Size and User Performance
Studies have shown that users can interact with larger and nearer targets more quickly and effectively than those which might be smaller or further away. However, little research has been done on how these elements affect users physically. A recent study by Dr. Jeong Ho "Jay" Kim, an ergonomics expert on the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, aimed to judge how goal size affects user neck and shoulder biomechanics, task performance, and cognitive load.
The Study
For the study, 20 adults aged 18 to 49 with no history of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal issues or neck and shoulder pain prior to now week participated. They used a industrial, off-the-shelf VR headset with a hand tracking module to perform two tasks: pointing to circular targets arranged in a circle and coloring highlighted squares in a three-by-three grid. Both tasks had small, medium, and enormous targets, with small and enormous targets being 50 percent smaller or larger than medium targets, respectively.
Data Collection and Findings
While participants carried out these tasks, the researchers measured neck and shoulder joint movement using a motion capture camera system and picked up muscle activity data using electromyography. Participants also answered questions regarding the mental and physical demands, effort, frustration, distress, and engagement involved with each task and the way long it took them to finish each task. The findings showed that neck muscle activity was highest in large goal tasks, likely because participants had to maneuver their heads more to interact with the weather. Similarly, participants had greater shoulder biomechanical loads, with larger degrees of movement for the large-target tasks.
Implications and Limitations
The study’s findings point to a possible for goal size to affect VR users physically and mentally. However, the researchers note a couple of limitations to their research. The tasks were short and comparatively easy, making it unattainable to measure effects of fatigue from long-term use. The study also focused exclusively on younger participants, meaning the findings may not apply to older users. Lastly, the study used a single VR system model. Future research using a wider participant age range, longer duration, more complex tasks, and other models of VR headset would expand on this study’s findings.
Conclusion
Despite the restrictions, the study highlights the necessity to focus on track size and its possible influence on physical and cognitive performance when designing interfaces. With a greater understanding of how goal size and distance can affect users, designers can reduce the chance of musculoskeletal problems, decrease cognitive load, and improve user performance and experience. As VR technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to prioritize user health and well-being to make sure a secure and enjoyable experience for all users. By considering the physical and mental effects of goal size, designers can create more user-friendly and efficient VR systems that profit a wide selection of users.
