Haptic Interactions for Extended Reality

TL;DR

This study compares indirect, direct, and haptic-enhanced direct interactions in XR headsets, finding that while direct interaction improves upon indirect methods, haptic feedback offers limited benefits relative to its cost.

Contribution

The paper introduces HEDIM, a haptic-enhanced direct interaction method, and evaluates its effectiveness against existing interaction techniques in XR environments.

Findings

Direct interaction outperforms indirect methods.

Haptic feedback can enhance direct interaction in specific cases.

Participants were not convinced of the cost-effectiveness of haptic feedback.

Abstract

This research investigates whether the interaction methods of XR headsets can be improved by using haptic feedback. As a first and most common technique, indirect interactions are considered. Indirect interactions correspond to manipulations of virtual objects from a virtual distance using pre-defined hand gestures. As a second interaction technique, direct interaction (namely DIM) has been implemented where the user manipulates objects by virtually touching these with their hands. A third interaction method extends the previous one with haptic feedback (namely HEDIM). These 3 methods are compared with each other based on objective and subjective user tests, also taking into account financial considerations. This research concludes that the DIM improves upon the standard indirect method. Additionally, it has been observed that haptic feedback could enhance the DIM in specific situations. Nevertheless, when considering the current financial cost, our subjects were not convinced of the small improvements haptic feedback brings.