SIT6: Indirect touch-based object manipulation for DeskVR

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to significantly boost productivity in professional settings, especially those that can benefit from immersive environments that allow a better and more thorough way of visualizing information. However, the physical demands of mid-air movements make it difficult to use VR for extended periods. DeskVR offers a solution that allows users to engage in VR while seated at a desk, minimizing physical exhaustion. However, developing appropriate motion techniques for this context is challenging due to limited mobility and space constraints. This work focuses on object manipulation techniques, exploring touch-based and mid-air-based approaches to design a suitable solution for DeskVR, hypothesizing that touch-based object manipulation techniques could be as effective as mid-air object manipulation in a DeskVR scenario while less physically demanding. Thus, we propose Scaled Indirect Touch 6-DOF (SIT6), an indirect touch-based object manipulation technique incorporating scaled input mapping to address precision and out-of-reach manipulation issues. The implementation of our solution consists of a state machine with error-handling mechanisms and visual indicators to enhance interaction. User experiments were conducted to compare the SIT6 technique with a baseline mid-air approach, revealing comparable effectiveness while demanding less physical exertion. These results validated our hypothesis and established SIT6 as a viable option for object manipulation in DeskVR scenarios.