LocoScooter: Designing a Stationary Scooter-Based Locomotion System for Navigation in Virtual Reality

TL;DR

LocoScooter introduces a low-cost, scooter-inspired VR locomotion system that enhances immersion and enjoyment, combining physical engagement with familiar movements, suitable for space-limited environments.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, hardware-efficient VR locomotion interface that improves user experience without increasing fatigue, expanding options for virtual navigation.

Findings

Significantly increased immersion and enjoyment with LocoScooter

Maintained comparable efficiency and usability to joystick navigation

Users did not report increased fatigue despite higher physical demand

Abstract

Virtual locomotion remains a challenge in VR, especially in space-limited environments where room-scale walking is impractical. We present LocoScooter, a low-cost, deployable locomotion interface combining foot-sliding on a compact treadmill with handlebar steering inspired by scooter riding. Built from commodity hardware, it supports embodied navigation through familiar, physically engaging movement. In a within-subject study (N = 14), LocoScooter significantly improved immersion, enjoyment, and bodily involvement over joystick navigation, while maintaining comparable efficiency and usability. Despite higher physical demand, users did not report increased fatigue, suggesting familiar movements can enrich VR navigation.