Will Simulation Sickness Slow Down the Diffusion of Virtual Environment Technology?

1992/01/01 by Frank Biocca · 2 citations
Computer Science · Engineering · Medicine · #Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare #Teleoperation and Haptic Systems #Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts

paper · doi:10.1162/pres.1992.1.3.334

openalex publication_date 1992/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

The widespread diffusion of immersive virtual environments (VE) is threatened by persistent reports that some users experience simulation sickness, a form of motion sickness that accompanies extended use of the medium. Experience with the problem of simulation sickness is most extensive in the military where the illness has accompanied the use of various simulators since the 1950s. This article considers the obstacles presented by simulation sickness to the diffusion of VE systems, its physiological and technological causes, and, finally, the remedies that have been suggested to fix the problems. This issue is also considered in light of previous reports of purported illnesses that accompanied the diffusion of other communication technologies.

Cited by

• Human Factors Issues in Virtual Environments: A Review of the Literature
• Five canonical findings from 30 years of psychological experimentation in virtual reality

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