Studying the Effect of Physical Realism on Time Perception in a HAZMAT VR Simulation

Abstract

Our research focuses on how physical props in virtual reality (VR) can affect users' time perception. We designed an experiment with the goal of comparing users' perception of time when using physical props in VR as compared to standard controllers and only virtual elements. In order to quantify this effect, time estimates for both conditions are compared to time estimates for a matching real-world task. In this experiment, participants assume the role of a firefighter trainee, going through a HAZMAT scenario, where they touch and interact with different physical props that match the virtual elements of the scene.