Designing VR for Wheelchair Players: Evaluation of an Inclusive VR Experience Using Wheelchair Redirect Movement

• Victor Ferrari Pinto Sassi UFF https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4411-5582
• Esteban Walter Clua UFF https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5650-1718
• Thiago Porcino LNCC https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0281-4580
• Daniela Trevisan UFF https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0061-4689
• Giovanna Ferrari Pinto Sassi USP https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6862-3579
• Felipe Barreto UFF
• Pedro Mendes UFF
• Débora C. Muchaluat-Saade UFF https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1233-9736

Resumo

This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of an inclusive virtual reality (VR) experience tailored for wheelchair users, incorporating a Wheelchair Redirected Movement technique. The study investigates whether wheelchair users can tolerate higher movement extrapolation gains compared to walking, potentially enabling more expansive virtual environments within constrained physical spaces. A total of 42 participants tested AstroRoll, a custom VR game featuring an extrapolation gain of 2, exceeding conventional thresholds. The evaluation employed multiple assessment metrics, including the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ), Collision Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), and Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ). Results indicated favorable spatial presence scores but also high disorientation, suggesting challenges in maintaining spatial awareness. While VRSQ scores demonstrated high tolerance of the experience, engagement metrics highlighted the need for improvements in immersion and realism. This research provides empirical validation for enhanced Redirected Walking techniques and demonstrates the feasibility of accessible VR locomotion strategies that preserve user comfort and spatial perception. These findings contribute to the development of more inclusive and engaging virtual environments for wheelchair users, expanding the possibilities for VR experiences within physically constrained settings.

Palavras-chave: Virtual Reality, redirective walking, accessibility, games, cybersickness, presence, collision anxiety

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