Event Actions
InSight: Reframing Spatial Boundaries for Out-Of-View Information in VR Collaboration
Abstract:
Social interactions in virtual reality (VR) collaboration can be challenging due to the limited field of view (FOV), lack of peripheral awareness, loss of context information, and the direct imitation of physical environments. Although side-by-side encounters with a shared perspective enhance object-centered conversations, they often restrict the expression of social signals, which are essential for social experiences and mutual understanding. To address these challenges, we introduce InSight, an interaction technique that enables users to redefine spatial boundaries in VR collaboration by shifting out-of-view objects and avatars into the user's FOV while maintaining the social signals between users. A user study with 16 participants was conducted to investigate the effect of InSight on user experience and non-verbal cues in different conversation spatial arrangements (circular and semi-circular). The study also explored the impact of dynamically adjusting the view using a continuous compression slider. The findings suggest that participants preferred InSight over the baseline condition, as it facilitated more engaging and natural conversations that were easier to follow. However, some participants experienced discomfort with direct eye contact in InSight. The findings demonstrate the potential for redefining spatial boundaries in VR collaboration and provide insights into the benefits, challenges, and design considerations for such techniques.
Committee:
- Brad Campbell, Committee Chair, (CS, ECE/SEAS/UVA)
- Seongkook Heo, Advisor(CS/SEAS/UVA)
- Lu Feng (CS,SIE/SEAS/UVA)
- Tariq Iqbal (SYS,CS/SEAS/UVA)