Open data exploration in virtual reality: a comparative study of input technology

Abstract

In this article, we compare three different input technologies (gamepad, vision-based motion controls, room-scale) for an interactive virtual reality (VR) environment. The overall system is able to visualize (open) data from multiple online sources in a unified interface, enabling the user to browse and explore displayed information in an immersive VR setting. We conducted a user interaction study (n = 24 ; n = 8 per input technology, between-group design) to investigate experienced workload and perceived flow of interaction. Log files and observations allowed further insights and comparison of each condition. We have identified trends that indicate user preference of a visual (virtual) representation, but no clear trends regarding the application of physical controllers (over vision-based controls), in a scenario that encouraged exploration with no time limitations.

“Oh, that’s where you are!” – Towards a Hybrid Asymmetric Collaborative Immersive Analytics System

“…Streppel et al [50] explored three concepts for immersive interaction (direct user interaction, physical controls, virtual controls) within the context of a software city application, finding no major preference of one concept over the other based on the subjective impressions of the study participants. Reski and Alissandrakis [47] investigated different input technologies (gamepad, 3D gestural input, room-scale VR) within the context of data exploration in VR, identifying a trend towards user preference for visual (virtual) representation of the input controls in VR, but no major preference in regards to the input control's physicality. Challenges and opportunities of immersive unit visualization are described by Ivanov et al [30].…”

“…To explore the processed NTS corpus in an immersive environment, we developed a further iteration of our previous system, which allows open data exploration in VR [47] by extending it rigorously. We iterated on the prior design to reflect on the NTS context and scenario.…”

Exploration of Time-Oriented Data in Immersive Virtual Reality Using a 3D Radar Chart Approach

“…The results of a study conducted by Wagner Filho et al [41] point towards higher usability, higher user preference, and lower mental workload when using immersive display technologies over traditional non-immersive 2D displays in a scenario that featured the exploration of spatio-temporal data in 3D, thus presenting further indications towards the suitability of applying immersive technologies within the context of 3D data visualization. Studies that focus on the investigation of the user experience and interaction design, such as the ones presented by Cordeil et al [12], Streppel et al [38], Huang et al [20], and Reski and Alissandrakis [35], are equally important as they provide recommendations and guidelines in regard to the choice of display and input technologies as well as different interaction techniques in order to actively interact with data in immersive environments. This is particularly relevant for making such IA tools and experiences better suitable to novices and potential end users, who will ideally use these tools frequently.…”

“…It is possible to display multiple 3D radar charts, each representing different data, within the immersive VR environment. For instance, placing charts in different locations in the 3D virtual environment, based on their geospatial properties in the multivariate dataset is arguably a rather natural way of approaching this scenario [4,27,35]. Using the room-scale VR setup, the user can then explore the data by walking around.…”

“…4.1.1 Data Scenario. The overall data context and scenario presented to the participants was inspired by some of our previous work [4,35]. More specifically, we presented the participant with a use case in which they were tasked to investigate language variability on social media in the Nordic region with a focus on time.…”