Abstract
A virtual reality study explored the potential for a virtual body (VB) to enhance a participant's spatial awareness of a virtual environment (VE) by providing an invariant, subtle point of reference for object positioning. The study used the ecological metric of perceived reachability as the manifestation of spatial awareness. Nine subjects entered a VE and performed a maximum virtual reach estimation task in which VB configuration (full-body, hand-only, no-body) and target height (low, medium, high) were manipulated. Estimations of reach were more significantly accurate for low target heights. This seemed most attributable to the influence of the more richly patterned visual background for that condition. A complex interaction between VB configuration and target height indicates that the specific VB used may impact observed performance. Subjective comments also indicate a perceived utility of a full-body virtual body as a reference point for spatial tasks. Results are discussed in regard to potential design implications and future research opportunities.
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