Human performance evaluation of manipulation schemes in virtual environments

Presents the results of one of the first experiments in a research program aimed at systematically investigating manipulation schemes for spatial input, from a human factors point of view. A 3D design space model is proposed as a framework for such investigations, and four options within this model are tested in a six degree-of-freedom target acquisition task within a virtual environment. Experimental results indicate strong performance advantages for isometric sensing combined with rate control and for isotonic sensing combined with position control. A strong interaction between sensing mode and mapping function is found. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature on spatial manipulation