How Can I Grab That?: Solving Issues of Interaction in VR by Choosing Suitable Selection and Manipulation Techniques

Abstract

The selection and manipulation of objects in Virtual Reality face application developers with a substantial challenge as they need to ensure a seamless interaction in three-dimensional space. Assessing the advantages and disadvantages of selection and manipulation techniques in specific scenarios and regarding usability and user experience is a mandatory task to find suitable forms of interaction. In this article, we take a look at the most common issues arising in the interaction with objects in VR. We present a taxonomy allowing the classification of techniques regarding multiple dimensions. The issues are then associated with these dimensions. Furthermore, we analyze the results of a study comparing multiple selection techniques and present a tool allowing developers of VR applications to search for appropriate selection and manipulation techniques and to get scenario dependent suggestions based on the data of the executed study.