Natural interaction in virtual reality: impact on the cognitive load

PubDate: December 2019

Teams: onepoint

Writers: Thomas Galais, Alexandra Delmas,Rémy Alonso

PDF: Natural interaction in virtual reality: impact on the cognitive load

Abstract

Many of the virtual reality (VR) interaction devices available to the general public rely on the use of controllers. However, theses ones generate some usability constraints. Current availability of new gestural devices provides a more “natural” way to interact in VR, i.e. minimizing cognitive load. However, this last one is rarely taken into account in the literature on VR design and evaluation. In order to fill this gap, we propose to evaluate, within a comparative study, the respective impact of 2 interaction paradigms on the cognitive load and performance of two different user populations (experienced vs. novice): gestural interaction using Leap Motion® (test group) and more traditional interaction using gamepad controllers (control group). Initial results indicate significantly higher cognitive load and significantly lower performance during gestural interaction with the Leap Motion® than during interaction with the controllers. These results highlight technical limitations related to Leap Motion® and the need to improve technically these devices to obtain a robust technology