RoleVR: Multi-experience in immersive virtual reality between co-located HMD and non-HMD users

Abstract

In this study, we present RoleVR, which can provide a similar high level of presence and multi experience for co-located head-mounted display (HMD) and Non-HMD users in an asymmetric virtual reality (VR) environment. The core of RoleVR is distinguishing the difference between the asymmetric environments (in terms of the system and the experience) of HMD and Non-HMD users to design optimized roles for these users. Here, we assign HMD user with spatial role that maximizes the sense of space based on three-dimensional visual information, and we assign Non-HMD user with temporal role in which they take control of communication and action, and understand the overall situation according to the flow of time. We also design an interaction for walking and a hand interface to enhance presence. This is achieved by understanding the user’s role, thereby improving the immersion. Finally, we created an asymmetric VR application that considers the interaction between roles and performed survey-based experiments to verify the basic presence and multi-experience of users in RoleVR. Through this process, we confirmed that RoleVR provides satisfactory presence for co-located HMD and Non-HMD users, and a variety of experiences specialized for each role.