Case Study: The University of Queensland advances VR presence research with iMotions

The University of Queensland links 13+ presence questionnaires to real-time VR biosignals with iMotions

The University of Queensland's Empathic XR and Pervasive Computing Laboratory, led by Dr. Arindam Dey, faced the challenge of effectively measuring real-time presence in Virtual Reality. Traditional questionnaires were prone to recall bias and could not capture the immediate, in-situ feeling of "being there." The team sought to objectively correlate physiological data with the VR experience, necessitating synchronized multi-sensor data capture and analysis, which they aimed to achieve using the iMotions platform.

Utilizing iMotions Lab, the solution involved collecting and synchronizing physiological data such as GSR, heart rate, EEG, and eye tracking during VR sessions. This allowed the researchers to pinpoint specific in-environment events that triggered physiological responses linked to presence. The results identified key physiological markers for higher presence and enabled research into adaptive VR systems. Furthermore, iMotions facilitated studies on VR storytelling and user-centered design, with broader applications in teaching social skills and aiding cultural adjustment, thereby increasing the effectiveness of VR applications through real-time feedback.

The University of Queensland