Optimizing virtual reality interfaces: ergonomic guidelines for hand interaction based on user age, gender, and handedness

Abstract

This research aims to identify the optimal interaction area within virtual reality (VR) where arm movements and hand controller interactions achieve the highest efficiency, accuracy, and user comfort. Subsequently, it seeks to formulate ergonomic guidelines for the design of user-adapted VR interfaces. To achieve this, a repeated-measures experiment was conducted, involving 40 participants who completed a series of target acquisition tasks in VR. Target acquisition time, error rate, and physical exertion were compared across different age groups and genders. The results indicated that (1) interaction through a bent arm posture yielded superior efficiency and accuracy, with less performance decline over extended periods compared to stretched arm interactions; (2) elderly users over 60 exhibited lower interaction accuracy, while preteens and adolescents demonstrated the most pronounced decline in performance over time; (3) compared to males, females displayed poorer efficiency and throughput (TP) in completing hand interaction tasks, although they showed an advantage in accuracy. Given the findings regarding the kinematic characteristics and user differences in hand interaction performance, implications for the future design of personalized and user-adapted VR interfaces are discussed.