Virtual Maze Navigation Using Different Locomotion Techniques

Abstract

We experimented with different locomotion methods present in the VR literature. We present qualitative and quantitative results based on a user study that was conducted on virtual maze navigation. Locomotion in VR can be categorized into 3 main categories: namely, Walking, Steering, and Selection based. Walking is more natural than the other two categories as the user can experience kinesthetic and vestibular stimulations. However, it is not always feasible because of limited physical space constraints. Redirected Walking (RDW) is a solution for the physical space constraints. Users are prompted when they reach a physical boundary to avoid any collisions. In steering, users have to direct a body part to move in a given direction. It can be categorized into view directed, hand directed, torso directed, and lean directed. The third category locomotion based on a selection. For example, when the user selects an object in the environment the user is teleported to that location. In this project we experimented only with the first two locomotion methods.