SIM2VR: Towards Automated Biomechanical Testing in VR

TL;DR

SIM2VR introduces a novel system that aligns biomechanical user simulation with VR applications, enabling direct training within the same environment to better predict user performance and ergonomics.

Contribution

It presents the first method to train simulated users directly in the same VR environment as real users, improving ecological validity of biomechanical testing.

Findings

Predicts differences in user performance and ergonomics in a dynamic VR game.

Establishes a continuous closed loop between user simulation and VR application.

Demonstrates potential for automated biomechanical testing beyond simple tasks.

Abstract

Automated biomechanical testing has great potential for the development of VR applications, as initial insights into user behaviour can be gained in silico early in the design process. In particular, it allows prediction of user movements and ergonomic variables, such as fatigue, prior to conducting user studies. However, there is a fundamental disconnect between simulators hosting state-of-the-art biomechanical user models and simulators used to develop and run VR applications. Existing user simulators often struggle to capture the intricacies of real-world VR applications, reducing ecological validity of user predictions. In this paper, we introduce SIM2VR, a system that aligns user simulation with a given VR application by establishing a continuous closed loop between the two processes. This, for the first time, enables training simulated users directly in the same VR application that real users interact with. We demonstrate that SIM2VR can predict differences in user performance, ergonomics and strategies in a fast-paced, dynamic arcade game. In order to expand the scope of automated biomechanical testing beyond simple visuomotor tasks, advances in cognitive models and reward function design will be needed.