Cybersickness and Evaluation of a Remediation System: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Many questions arise regarding the use of virtual reality (VR) in the naval military field. This is particularly the case from a human factors’ perspective, where system’s usability is supposed to guarantee user’s performance. Cybersickness, resulting from a sensory conflict between visual and vestibular systems, is one of the major limitations to the development of VR. Cybersickness can lead to nausea, oculomotor discomfort and disorientation. The major aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficiency of a remediation system for cybersickness. This system is designed to help remove the sensory conflict, thanks to miniature LED screens placed in the head mounted display (HMD). 18 subjects were confronted with a dynamic environment in VR, equipped with HMDs. Different physiological variables were measured during immersion. Every subject showed effects of cybersickness, starting, on average, after eight minutes of exposure, even if the system may reduce symptoms under certain conditions.