A heart rate and skin response module for adaptive difficulty in virtual reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming an ubiquitous technology currently being in many areas as it offers simulated realistic environments suitable for training. Despite the advances in VR technology, one-size-fits solutions that do not factor the user variability still prevail. Such approach may impact task completion, immersion, presence and effective of VR. A solution to such a problem involves the use of physiological measures that allow better understanding how users respond to VR experiences. This Thesis presents a module called Physiological Adaptive Module (PAM) that utilizes heart rate and skin responses as customization elements altering the level of difficulty when performing a VR task. The customization additionally changes the audiovisual feedback, while monitoring the biofeedback and time to completion. The proposed Unity module was integrated into the Model for Attenuating Radiation in VR for Nuclear Safety Awareness (MARVIN) VR simulation for radiation attenuation to understand the implementation requirements, challenges, and opportunities. Finally, a preliminary study was conducted to understand usability and cognitive load.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community, Public and Population Health

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Wood, Kody M. R.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Quevedo, Alvaro Joffre Uribe

• Virtual reality
• Usability
• Physiological metrics
• Adaptive

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1533

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1533