Exploring Controller-Free Locomotion Techniques in Dynamic VR Environments : A Comparative Analysis of Eye- and Hand-Based Teleportation

Abstract: Locomotion in VR is still a topic of exploration, as different solutions serve different purposes. Teleportation is an established technique for moving in virtual environments larger than physical space, but one area that has not been thoroughly investigated is controller-free teleportation, where users are not limited by intermediary devices for movement control. Recent advancements in VR headsets now allow tracking of multiple body parts, including hands and eyes, enabling locomotion solely through gestures. Prior research on hand- and eye-tracking for teleportation in VR shows promising results in controlled environments but lacks practical comparisons in typical VR applications with dynamic settings. In this study, two types of controller-free teleportation techniques based on hand- and eye-tracking were implemented. The results indicate that, in dynamic VR environments, hand-based teleportation is more efficient and has seemingly higher usability. However, eye-based teleportation appears more immersive, and is potentially a viable and less physically demanding alternative for people with disabilities to increase the accessibility to VR applications. This study’s results provide valuable insights for developing innovative controller-free locomotion techniques utilizing body-tracking in dynamic VR environments.