Flexible spaces: Dynamic layout generation for infinite walking in virtual environments

Abstract

Redirected walking techniques enable natural locomotion through immersive virtual environments (VEs) that are larger than the real world workspace. Most existing techniques rely upon manipulating the mapping between physical and virtual motions while the layout of the environment remains constant. However, if the primary focus of the experience is on the virtual world's content, rather than on its spatial layout, then the goal of redirected walking can be achieved through an entirely different strategy. In this paper, we introduce flexible spaces -a novel redirection technique that enables infinite real walking in virtual environments that do not require replication of real world layouts. Flexible spaces overcome the limitations and generalize the use of overlapping (impossible) spaces and change blindness by employing procedural layout generation. Our approach allows VE designers to focus on the content of the virtual world independent of the implementation details imposed by real walking, thereby making spatial manipulation techniques more practical for use in a variety of application domains.

Object Manipulation in Virtual Reality Under Increasing Levels of Translational Gain

“…Rather than utilising continuous imperceptible shifts to the position of the user in the VE, "impossible spaces" [47], or simply 'overlapping spaces', utilise change blindness to alter the physical layout of a space outside of the user's field of view (FOV). For example, a user sees a virtual room and, after walking into it, the layout of the space behind them is changed so that the door is in a new position, directing them into more open space [46,51] or, upon leaving a room, the user is redirected back to the same physical space where a different virtual room is now shown [52]. Alternatively, an entirely different room can be loaded behind the user, as an extension of the room currently inhabited [47].…”

A VR-based user study on the effects of vision impairments on recognition distances of escape-route signs in buildings

“…However, these techniques require significantly more physical space than the tracking space of a typical HTC Vive setup. Other walking approaches, like change blindness illusions [23], self-overlapping architecture [25] or flexible spaces [27], manipulate the architectural layout of a VR environment to fit into the tracked space. Although these techniques work well to create an immersive experience [28], the need for specific layouts or manipulations of the VR environment prohibits the evaluation of escape-route signage of models of real-world buildings.…”

“…Although these techniques work well to create an immersive experience [28], the need for specific layouts or manipulations of the VR environment prohibits the evaluation of escape-route signage of models of real-world buildings. Locomotion devices [27] like shoebased devices, omnidirectional treadmills or robotic elements allow navigations through arbitrary building models without any manipulations of the building architecture or the need for a large physical workspace, but the acquisition of this specialized hardware increases the costs of a project significantly. Other inexpensive locomotion techniques that require a lot of physical movement, like jumping up and down to run in VR, would be too tiresome if performed for 30 min.…”

SpaceWalk

“…This is achieved through subtle gradual shifting of the viewpoint as a person moves. Another approach to facilitate natural movement within a confined space is a redirection technique that maps overlapping layouts of virtual environment spaces to real world spaces [33]. By using procedural layout generation, users wearing a HMD can traverse virtual layouts that feel larger than the real world tracking space.…”