Lecture 8 - Virtual Reality

Question 1

What is mixed reality?

Answer 1

Mixed reality is a blend or reality and virtual reality.

Question 2

What is the Milgram’s Reality-Virtuality Continuum?

Answer 2

A continuum which spans real to virtual, it classifies AR,VR,reality and virtuality. It classifies varying amounts of blending.

Question 3

What is AR?

Answer 3

Augumented reality

Question 4

What is VR?

Answer 4

Virtual Reality

Question 5

What is virtual reality?

Answer 5

Virtual reality is an entirely computerized environment in which user is placed with almost no perception of reality.It is essentially an illusion of the world.

Question 6

Is VR more real than AR?

Answer 6

No, it is towards the right hand side of the continuum, it is more virtual, so there is a greater extent of virtual sensations.

Question 7

In VR what characteristics do need to meet?

Answer 7

immersion and presence

Question 8

What is immersion?

Answer 8

Sense of being within a virtual environment (virtual takes over). We accept that this virtual world has an effect on us. In conclusion a convincing experience, even to the point we do not realize technology is mediating the world.

This is a psychological and perceptual state

Question 9

What is presence?

Answer 9

The feeling that you are part of the world -> interactive.

Question 10

What are the 3 types of presence?

Answer 10

social
spatial
personal

Question 11

What is social presence?

Answer 11

The feeling that you are with other people in this world.

Question 12

What is a spatial presence?

Answer 12

The feeling that the virtual world is reacting to you

Question 13

What is personal presence?

Answer 13

Feeling that you are in this world (body ownership illusions -> yes this is you moving and doing things).

Question 14

Immersion and presence is….

Answer 14

desirable for a VR system.

Question 15

What is the goal of VR?

Answer 15

To provide a world that is convincing enough that people think everything in the world is actually happening to them.

Question 16

Why are VR headsets so bulky?

Answer 16

As the tech inside is complex and there is a requirement for a large number of lenses for the system to behave as expected, while also providing a good user experience.

Question 17

What are the 2 main ways of input sensing in VR?

Answer 17

• controller
• hand movements

Question 18

What are the strengths of using a controller for input sensing?

Answer 18

• easily tracked, controls can be made familiar, can be tactile
• independent hand motions -> we can use single hand
• supports input metaphors e.g. pulling back a bow (more engaging!)

Question 19

What are the disadvantages of using a controller for input sensing?

Answer 19

• not hands free
• form factor could be uncomfortable or suit all tasks for which we need it

Question 20

How are controllers typically tracked?

Answer 20

inside out tracking i.e. the headset provides the tracking capabilities

Question 21

What are the strengths of using hands for input sensing?

Answer 21

• expressive and precise input
• supports direct manipulation (1-1 correspondence to actions in the real world)
• more immersive experiences (hence better for immersion)
• hand representations improve overall usability

Question 22

What are the weaknesses of using hands for input sensing?

Answer 22

• tracking is complex and has many difficulties
• we need to design in mind with tracking constraints
• limited tactile cues and options