The Effect of Motion Direction and Eccentricity on Vection, VR Sickness and Head Movements in Virtual Reality

Abstract Virtual Reality (VR) experienced through head-mounted displays often leads to vection, discomfort and sway in the user. This study investigated effect of motion direction eccentricity on these three phenomena using optic flow patterns displayed Valve Index. Visual stimuli were presented centre, periphery or far moved either depth (back forth) laterally (left right). Overall vection was stronger for compared lateral motion. Additionally, primarily affected moving with more peripherally central ones. Motion various aspects VR sickness differently modulated sickness. For peripheral presentation caused discomfort, whereas discomfort. Stimuli led head movements anterior–posterior when entire visual field stimulated. Observers demonstrated medio-lateral throughout experiment independent stimulus. Head elicited same plane as stimulus only covering field. A correlation showed a positive relationship between dizziness duration general sway. Identifying where an individual causes least amount without losing presence can guide development games, training treatment programmes.