Sommersemester 2023, BA/MA Produkt-Design eLab , Werkstatt Prototyp , XR Technologien

V-Timer

Can haptic feedback affect a user's perception of time in virtual reality?

 

In a virtual reality environment, many people will experience considerable bias in time perception. When people wear VR glasses, they perceive time as passing significantly faster than in real-time. This research project explores whether it is possible to influence the perception of time in VR by other non-visual means, such as providing certain haptic feedback.

 

After reviewing a large number of papers on different factors affecting time perception, such as concentrating on a task, changing the temperature, etc., I conducted my own experiments to see if there was a link between these factors and the conditions of a VR environment.

 

The first and second experiments required participants to perform a manual task while watching a video, to simulate a VR environment. However, it was impossible to complete the task when participants could not see their hands. Therefore the next experiment was designed to focus on receiving haptic feedback through the skin of the arms. This way, the sensory input can be perceived while the participants’ vision was focused on the VR environment. Several tactile factors, such as stroking, patting, pressing, and temperature were tested. Based on theoretical sources and experimental outcomes, tapping and stroking were determined to be the most effective forms of haptic feedback. Furthermore, a vibration motor and a stepper motor were used in combination with different textile materials to simulate this stroking and tapping on the arms.

 

In addition to the haptic device, I designed an interactive VR environment where participants have the freedom to choose which mode of feedback they wish to experience. I aim to collect more reliable data to demonstrate that haptic feedback can effectively influence a person's perception of time in a virtual environment. Eventually, based on the above research, I will design a set of virtual environments and wearable technology devices that provide physical feedback to facilitate researchers to study different time-perception situations in virtual reality.

Project categorySemester Project Project subjects BA/MA Produkt-Design