Revisiting Walking-in-Place by Introducing Step-Height Control, Elastic Input, and Pseudo-Haptic Feedback

Abstract: Walking-in-place (WIP) is a locomotion technique that enables users to "walk infinitely" through vast virtual environments using walking-like gestures within a limited physical space. This paper investigates alternative interaction schemes for WIP, addressing successively the control, input, and output of WIP. First, we introduce a novel height-based control to increase advanced speed. Second, we introduce a novel input system for WIP based on elastic and passive strips. Third, we introduce the use of pseudo-haptic feedback as a novel output for WIP meant to alter walking sensations. The results of a series of user studies show that height and frequency based control of WIP can facilitate higher virtual speed with greater efficacy and ease than in frequency-based WIP. Second, using an upward elastic input system can result in a stable virtual speed control, although excessively strong elastic forces may impact the usability and user experience. Finally, using a pseudo-haptic approach can improve the perceived realism of virtual slopes. Taken together, our results suggest that, for future VR applications, there is value in further research into the use of alternative interaction schemes for walking-in-place.