Measuring Motion Sickness Through Racing Simulator Based on Virtual Reality

Abstract

Nowadays, we are experiencing a new boom in virtual reality (VR) technologies led by big video game companies. When these renewed forms of entertainment caught everyone’s attention, their most common issues began to be noticed. Motion sickness is a feeling of discomfort triggered by a misalignment between a person’s eyes and body when in motion. This condition occurs regularly in VR environments. Although it is a common problem in this context, very few studies have been conducted on this subject. This research work is the first step in a barely explored field that will hopefully help to develop new proposals. The present study aims to find techniques that reduce the negative effects of motion sickness that appear during the use of VR devices and try to identify the main factors that cause them. To this end, a driving simulator with multiple experimental countermeasures has been developed and tested with 13 volunteers to determine the key elements that allow a normative participant to tolerate and overcome the symptoms of this condition. The results will establish a series of recommendations and best practices for further work with virtual reality technologies.