VR Simulation of Visual Impairments
Category: VR App • Time: 4 Months • 2019
Over the course of life, age-related and pathological changes to vision can occur, potentially leading to visual impairments. As a result, product ergonomists should be aware of these changes in order to support the design and adaptation of living environments and products, providing targeted support to individuals with visual impairments.
Recommendations for further improving the VR experience in order to sensitize ergonomics and UX professionals, gathering baseline data for upcoming studies.
The aim of this research work was the development of a virtual reality simulation of an everyday living scenario as well as its test and evaluation with regard to sensitization of users.
Use cases for this application are: lighting design in homes for people with visual impairments, signs for escape routes in public buildings, amongst others.
UX and Ergonomics professionals
Role in Project
Research in a team of five M.Sc. Human Factors students in the project course “product ergonomics”. The tasks were devided between the team members. During the project I focussed on research, planning and conducting the interviews.
VR Concept
Based on the research and the project statement, a concept for tasks in the VR environment for the participants was created. Additionally, hypotheses for the study were formulated. The visual impairment simulations for the mentioned tasks were implemented by the software team in the Unity 3D game engine.
In this research project, baseline data for the sensitization of UX and ergonomics experts for visual impairment was gained. Additional tasks will be added for the user to complete and they will have to spend a longer time in the VR experience. Further evaluations for developing the VR environment are carried out by the research team Ergonomics and Innovation Management.