Estimation of individual redirected walking thresholds using standard perception tests

Abstract

Redirected walking (RDW) allows users to interact with a Virtual Environment (VE) much larger than the real space. However, there is a limit to how much a user can be redirected such that immersion in the VE is still preserved. While much effort has been spent on identifying this limit, so-called redirected walking thresholds, these thresholds are more a general guideline than being personalized for each user. Since individuals' differences in perception play an important role in users's experience in a redirected VE, there is potential to optimize the thresholds using these differences. In this paper, we propose an investigation on the relationship between redirected walking thresholds (RDTs) and perception traits such as visual dependency, susceptibility to visual-vestibular conflicts, and sensitivity to internal body changes, which can be measured in postural sway, rod-and-frame, vection and interoception tests. Consequentially, we will investigate the potential of using these tests as tools for the estimation of personalized RDTs.