The Perception of Weight in Virtual Reality When Combining Velocity Limiting and Control/Display Ratio Modification

Abstract: This study explored the perception of weight in virtual reality using the combination of limiting the velocity with which an object can be lifted and control/display ratio modification and what affordances and challenges the combination might bring. Both interaction methods have thus far been explored independently, but not together. A virtual reality environment was designed that allowed each interaction method to be tested independently and together. A between-subjects user study was conducted where participants did multiple weight discrimination tasks along with a task involving absolute weight estimation. Results indicated that the combination of the two interaction methods increased the accuracy of weight discrimination considerably while not allowing for absolute weight estimation. It also increased the likelihood of noticing the interaction method with some participants that tested only one interaction method struggling to distinguish between the weights. Future work is required to reduce the frustrations that dropping objects due to the velocity limit caused among participants.