Process

"How to improve the user SoE in VR?" As a designer I started on a research axis: the goal is to find a universal solution, for any experience, to improve the overall user experience in VR. My work started with a long scientific documentation, theses and research articles in order to understand my subject and to know the experiments already carried out. SoE is the feeling that the virtual body is our own physical body when their properties are similar. SoE is triggered by various properties. For my research, I worked on two properties: visual-tactile stimuli and visual fidelity. The goal of my experiment is to make users wear a real artifact, like a wristband, which he will find identically modeled on his avatar and to test if it increases the SoE.

Concept

The experiment consists of game of whack a mole. This game helps to capture user's attention and allows for the artefact to appear in his virtual field of vision throughout the experience. To demonstrate my research focus, I set up a protocol whereby users will experiment with and without the wristband on his arm. Results will be analyzed via questionnaires around SoE's properties and based on the user's feelings after the tests. I used a headset and a Leap Motion to capture hands. I programmed my VR experience on Unity, modeled the wristband on 3ds Max and Substance Painter. The experience will be improved for testing in December. To project a concrete application, this artefact could serve as a support to add functionalities, in addition to improving the user's experience in VR.