Interaction in Immersive Virtual Environments

Windowing within immersive virtual environments is an attempt to apply 2D interface techniques to three-dimensional (3D) worlds. 2D techniques are attractive because of their proven acceptance and widespread use on the desktop. With current methods of performing 2D interaction in immersive virtual environments, however, it is difficult for users of 3D worlds to perform precise manipulations, such as dragging sliders, or precisely positioning or orienting objects. We have developed a testbed for comparing different indirect user interaction techniques using bimanual interaction, proprioception, and passive-haptic feedback.

 

 

The HARP system testbed provides users with a physical surface on which to perform 2D interactions. The paddle is held in the non-dominant hand of the user. The dominant hand is used as a selection device. The user interacts with GUI widgets simply by touching them with the index fingertip of the dominant hand.

Participants: Robert W. Lindeman, James K. Hahn, John L. Sibert