Implementation of an effective locomotion technique in virtual reality stress therapy

Abstract

This paper discusses the issues and difficulties faced during the development process of several locomotion techniques that focuses on a Virtual Reality-based stress relaxation therapy. During the process, three techniques are developed and tested. These three techniques are joystick controller-based navigation, guided navigation and teleportation techniques. For each technique, the problems faced include the compatibility issues between the hardware and the software, scripting difficulties, game engine, and neural conflict and all these issues are also addressed in this paper. The discussion does not only highlight the problems faced but also suggests several solutions. In general, the objective of this development is to determine the most effective locomotion technique under the domain of VR stress therapy for relaxation. Research elements studied during the development includes determining the best technique that reduces or eliminates motion sickness during locomotion. This proposed technique is the novelty of this research. For this purpose, various locomotion techniques are studied and developed which is later used under a domain of stress therapy. Note that this research focused on issues related to the locomotion technique rather than the aspect of creating the virtual environment. © 2019 IEEE.