Pointing from a third person avatar location: does dynamic feedback help?

Abstract

The use of third-person self-avatars has become common in non-immersive virtual environments, due in part to the advantages of seeing a full body while moving around in space. However, little research has investigated how third-person self-avatars can benefit task performance in immersive virtual environments (IVEs). This paper explores a procedure that may enhance user ability to act in an IVE from the point of view of a self-avatar projected in front of the viewer. Such abilities could be crucial in applications such as remote operator control, when a third person view is necessary or is the only view available. We conducted an experiment to assess the role of dynamic visual-motor and haptic feedback with a third-person avatar on a user's ability to point to remembered targets from the location of the avatar. The dynamic condition was compared within-subjects to a static condition in which the user's movements were not tracked with the avatar but the same task was required. Overall, participants were relatively good at pointing to targets from the location of the avatar. However, participants in the dynamic condition showed pointing performance that corresponded more closely to the avatar's location than was the case in the static condition. Subjective reports of bodily self-perception were also included and showed increased self-identification, presence, and agency in the dynamic compared to the static condition.