Effect of Immersion on Visual Attention and Alertness by Comparison of Two Dimensional Display Environments and Desktop Virtual Reality Environments

Abstract

The Desktop Virtual Reality (DVR) environments are new types of human-computer interaction interfaces in which user perceive and interact in a three-dimensional world. In this research work eight subjects were participated. Three different park scenarios were used in this study. The scenarios were in both desktop virtual reality environments as well as in two dimensional display environments. Each subject has to navigate into the park scenarios in two dimensional environment and desktop virtual reality environment and simultaneously EEG signals were recorded. The EEG signal indicates the electrical brain activity. The immersion questionnaires were created. After each scene the questionnaires were asked to the subject, The analysis of EEG signals was done using wavelet packet transform. The power spectral density and energy of alpha and gamma band were calculated. The result shows decrease in alpha band and increase in gamma band in desktop virtual environment as compare to 2d environment.. The changes in electric brain activity in presence of virtual reality indicate the change in human attention and alertness level. The objective score of immersion questionnaires were more in desktop virtual reality when compare with conventional two dimensional displays. The findings show that visual attention and alertness can be attained more in desktop virtual environments. Therefore VR technology have been applied for assessment and training purposes in the areas of military, safety training and flying simulators.