Spatial Knowledge Acquisition in Virtual and Physical Reality: A Comparative Evaluation

TL;DR

This study compares spatial knowledge acquisition in virtual reality versus physical environments using modern VR headsets, finding similar performance times but differences in behavioral factors.

Contribution

It provides an updated comparison of VR and physical training effectiveness for spatial learning with modern VR technology.

Findings

No significant difference in task completion time between VR and physical training.

Behavioral factors differed between VR-trained and physically trained participants.

VR training shows promise as an effective tool for spatial knowledge acquisition.

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) have been studied widely as tools for the most diverse kinds of training activities. One special kind that is the basis for many real-world applications is spatial knowledge acquisition and navigation. For example, knowing well by heart escape routes can be an important factor for firefighters and soldiers. Prior research on how well knowledge acquired in virtual worlds translates to real, physical one has had mixed results, with some suggesting spatial learning in VR is akin to using a regular 2D display. However, VR HMDs have evolved drastically in the last decade, and little is known about how spatial training skills in a simulated environment using up-to-date VR HMDs compares to training in the real world. In this paper, we aim to investigate how people trained in a VR maze compare against those trained in a physical maze in terms of recall of the position of items inside the environment. While our results did not find significant differences in time performance for people who experienced the physical and those who trained in VR, other behavioural factors were different.