Abstract
The role of haptic feedback on virtual embodiment is investigated in this paper in a context of active and fine manipulation. In particular, we explore which haptic cue, with varying ecological validity, has more influence on virtual embodiment. We conducted a within-subject experiment with 24 participants and compared self-reported embodiment over a humanoid avatar during a coloring task under three conditions: force feedback, vibrotactile feedback, and no haptic feedback. In the experiment, force feedback was more ecological as it matched reality more closely, while vibrotactile feedback was more symbolic. Taken together, our results show significant superiority of force feedback over no haptic feedback regarding embodiment, and significant superiority of force feedback over the other two conditions regarding subjective performance. Those results suggest that a more ecological feedback is better suited to elicit embodiment during fine manipulation tasks.
Highlights
A key factor of user experience in virtual reality (VR) is virtual embodiment, the “sense that emerges when [a body]’s properties are processed as if they were the properties of one’s own biological body” (Kilteni et al, 2012)
We explore the effect of different kinds of haptic feedback on the sense of embodiment in virtual environments during a drawing task
We presented a user study that investigated the role of haptic feedback on virtual embodiment in an immersive environment
Summary
A key factor of user experience in virtual reality (VR) is virtual embodiment, the “sense that emerges when [a body]’s properties are processed as if they were the properties of one’s own biological body” (Kilteni et al, 2012). Embodiment is usually meant to encompass motor control and affective attachment toward a body (De Vignemont, 2011; Kilteni et al, 2012) It was historically laid out through the rubber-hand illusion (RHI) paradigm, proposed by Botvinick and Cohen (1998). They investigated the interaction between tactile stimulation, proprioception, and vision during the emergence of the feeling of embodiment. They placed a life-sized rubber hand in front of participants. The synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation was enough to bring about a sense of embodiment toward the fake limb
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