Virtual Reality Psychophysics: Forward and Lateral Distance, Height, and Speed Perceptions with a Wide-Angle Helmet Display.

Abstract : Psychophysics of a color, high resolution, very wide angle, virtual reality type of helmet-mounted display were investigated. Subjects used a joystick to set their viewpoint within a computer-generated image database to requested target values in forward and lateral distance, height, and speed. Test factors for each type of perception included helicopter flying experience, replications, 3-D with familiar objects or 2-D texture visual databases, relative or absolute perceptions, viewpoint motion rail row and column offsets, increasing or decreasing change in target values, and six target values. Median forward distance and speed perceptions were 41% of simulated physical stimuli, 50% for lateral distance, and 72% for, height. These accuracies contrast with typical real-world accuracies for similar ranges of about 90% for distance, height, and speed. Main effort differences between most of the test factor levels were highly significant for all four types of perceptions. (AN)

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