VR based Power Wheelchair Simulator: Usability Evaluation through a Clinically Validated Task with Regular Users

Abstract

Power wheelchairs are one of the main solutions for people with reduced mobility to maintain or regain autonomy and a comfortable and fulfilling life. However, driving a power wheelchair in a safe way is a difficult task that often requires training methods based on real-life situations. Although these methods are widely used in occupational therapy, they are often too complex to implement and unsuitable for some people with major difficulties. In this context, we collaborated with clinicians to develop a Virtual Reality based power wheelchair simulator. This simulator is an innovative training tool adapted to any type of situations and impairments. In this paper, we present a clinical study in which 29 power wheelchair regular users were asked to complete a clinically validated task designed by clinicians within two conditions: driving in a virtual environment with our simulator and driving in real conditions with a real power wheelchair. The objective of this study is to compare performances between the two conditions and to evaluate the Quality of Experience provided by our simulator in terms of Sense of Presence and Cybersickness. Results show that participants complete the tasks in a similar amount of time for both real and virtual conditions, using respectively a real power wheelchair and our simulator. Results also show that our simulator provides a high level of Sense of Presence and provokes only slight to moderate Cybersickness discomforts resulting in a valuable Quality of Experience.

Virtual reality-based monitoring test for MCI: A multicenter feasibility study

“…In this study, the total VRSQ scores were 19.91 (SD 16.45) in the normal group and 15.83 (SD 21.14) in the MCI group. These scores are not of concern based on prior studies, which reported mean values of 11.87-44.46 (40)(41)(42). Moreover, our test could be considered as well-tolerated, as none of the subjects dropped out of the test due to motion sickness.…”

Assistive Robotic Technologies for Next-Generation Smart Wheelchairs: Codesign and Modularity to Improve Users’ Quality of Life

“…Our 3D test environments include an indoor, maze-like obstacle course [18] conceived by our clinical partners and a full-scale model of a city square [17]. The two environments have been created with the Unity Real-Time Development Platform, and they can be displayed using different interfaces: a standard monitor, a head-mounted display (as in [5]), and a pair of 3D glasses in an immersive room (www.irisa.fr/ immersia), as shown in Figure 4.…”

“…In VR, the patients experienced a high sense of presence, and the level of cybersickness remained very low in the three circuits. In particular, the collected data indicate that using the simulator during a training phase could drastically reduce damage to the environment (walls, doors, and furniture) and driving accidents [18].…”

“…Figure 12. Evaluation of the QoE of the wheelchair simulator.Mean and standard deviation of the USE score in the real world (red) and the VR environment (blue), according to four criteria[18].…”

Evaluation of power wheelchair driving performance in simulator compared to driving in real-life situations: the SIMADAPT (simulator ADAPT) project—a pilot study

“…The aim of this project is to allow a maximum number of users to use a PWC in safety in daily life. For this purpose, a VR-based PWC driving simulator aiming to contribute to driving training for patients has been developed [ 22 ]. The simulator provides combined visual feedback and vestibular feedback in order to limit motion sickness.…”