1998/08/01 by Kay M. Stanney, Ronald R. Mourant, Robert S. Kennedy · 1 citation
Computer Science · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Human-Automation Interaction and Safety #Tactile and Sensory Interactions #Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
paper · doi:10.1162/105474698565767
openalex publication_date 1998/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Virtual environments are envisioned as being systems that will enhance the communication between humans and computers. If virtual systems are to be effective and well received by their users, considerable human-factors research needs to be accomplished. This paper provides an overview of many of these human-factors issues, including human performance efficiency in virtual worlds (which is likely influenced by task characteristics, user characteristics, human sensory and motor physiology, multimodal interaction, and the potential need for new design metaphors); health and safety issues (of which cybersickness and deleterious physiological aftereffects may pose the most concern); and the social impact of the technology. The challenges each of these factors present to the effective design of virtual environments and systematic approaches to the resolution of each of these issues are discussed.