Effects of variation in system responsiveness on user performance in virtual environments

TL;DR

This study investigates how fluctuations in system responsiveness impact user performance in virtual environments, revealing that variability above 82 ms affects task efficiency and suggesting design considerations for VR interfaces.

Contribution

The paper provides empirical evidence on the effects of mean and standard deviation of system responsiveness in virtual environments, highlighting the threshold where variability impacts performance.

Findings

SDSR above 82 ms impairs performance

Placement tasks are more sensitive to SR fluctuations

Designers can vary SR control based on feedback needs

Abstract

System responsiveness (SR) is defined as the elapsed time until a system responds to user control. SR fluctuates over time, so it must be described statistically with mean (MSR) and standard deviation (SDSR). In this paper, we examine SR in virtual environments (VEs), outlining its components and methods of experimental measurement and manipulation. Three studies of MSR and SDSR effects on performance of grasp and placement tasks are then presented. The studies used within-subjects designs with 11, 12, and 10 participants, respectively. Results showed that SDSR affected performance only if it was above 82 ms. Placement required more frequent visual feedback and was more sensitive to SR. We infer that VE designers need not tightly control SDSR and may wish to vary SR control based on required visual feedback frequency. These results may be used to improve the human-computer interface in a wide range of interactive graphical applications, including scientific visualization, training, mental health, and entertainment.