The Virtual Reality Koinos Method: Analysis of Symmetrical Dyadic Collaboration in Virtual Reality from the perspective of communication models

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Koinos method to analyze and predict co-presence in Virtual Reality by applying communication models and conducting experiments with different virtual partner representations.

Contribution

It presents a novel theoretical framework and an experimental approach to understanding factors influencing co-presence in VR, including a predictive equation.

Findings

Communication models explain social interactions in VR.

Virtual partner representations affect co-presence levels.

An equation to predict co-presence in VR environments.

Abstract

Understanding which factors could influence co-presence in Virtual Reality could help develop more qualitative social interactions, or social interactions that generate similar sensations, emotions and feelings than the ones generated during Face-to-Face interactions. Co-presence is studied since the beginning of Virtual Reality (VR); though, no consensus is identified on what factors could influence it, except the consensus on the definition of "being there together" inside the Virtual Environment. In this paper, we introduce the Koinos method to explain social interactions in VR through communication models, (i) theoretically, and (ii) on two VR experiments that change the virtual partner social and physical representations. These analyses lead us to propose an equation to predict and help manage the sense of co-presence in VR.