6DoF navigation in virtual worlds: comparison of joystick-based and head-controlled paradigms

Abstract

6DoF navigation in a virtual world can usually be implemented by two types of navigation techniques: joystick-based input devices and steering metaphors based on movements of the user's body, e.g. head-controlled paradigms. These two different types of 6DoF navigation techniques provide users with the same level of control, but the latter introduces the user's physical movements in the navigation, which we believe will improve the navigation experience in immersive virtual environments. In this paper, we compare these two types of 6DoF navigation techniques in an immersive context, through an experiment using both objective and subjective measurements to assess user performance, the occurrence of cybersickness symptoms and the level of presence, when using either of these navigation paradigms.