Exploring%20the%20Use%20of%20Passive%20Haptics%20in%20Redirected%20Walking-based%20Virtual%20Environments

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Exploring the Use of Passive Haptics in
Redirected Walking-based Virtual Environments

• Luv Kohli
• COMP239
• April 20, 2005
• Final Project Update

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Problem 1

• Lack of touch feedback (haptics) in VR is
  disturbing
• Interaction without haptics is difficult

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Solutions

• Passive haptics
• Active haptics
• Avatar redirection

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Problem 2

• Size of virtual world limited by size of physical
  tracker space

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Solutions

• Flying
• Treadmills
• Virtual walkways/escalators
• Redirected walking
• Lots of others

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Redirected Walking Passive Haptics

• The idea of using passive haptics in an
  environment that uses redirected walking
  seemingly goes out the window

Real
Virtual
Physical prop
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with our powers combined

• With careful environment design, is it possible
  to incorporate passive haptics into a virtual
  environment that uses redirected walking?

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Some thoughts

• Redirected walking not possible if within arms
  reach of physical prop

Region whereuser is withinarms reachof prop
Physical prop
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Consequences

• There are pockets in the physical world
  regions surrounding physical props where
  redirected walking cannot be done
• Much less area available for redirecting the
  user, particularly if the prop is in the middle
  of the tracked area
• Virtual objects must align with physical objects
  by the time the user reaches them
• Users might crash into physical props

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Consequences, schmonsequences

• I want to do it anyway.
• Any redirection must be done outside the
  pockets, but

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Can we combine techniques?

• Imagine using Sharif Razzaques Redirected
  Walking with Eric Burns Avatar Redirection
• If the virtual object in question is not aligned
  with the real physical prop, would avatar
  redirection be able to help?
• Not something I intend to look into this semester

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Ideas

• If a user will only interact with one side of a
  prop, it may be better to keep it near the
  boundary of the tracked space
• Use distractions to redirect users (maybe the
  forearm/Haptic Hand interfaces can be a
  distraction?)
• If prop is symmetrical (e.g. circular table),
  maybe we can get away with less strict alignment
  requirements

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Environments to Ponder
Real
Virtual
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Environments to Ponder
Real
Virtual
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Environments to Ponder
Real
Virtual
Something
Also something, but something else(something
with virtualators?)