Influence of peripheral and stereoscopic vision on driving performance in a power wheelchair simulator system

Training in a Virtual Environment simulating a power wheelchair, can enhance safety, cost-effectiveness, training quality, and can also be used for the assessment of potential future users. Power wheelchair simulators often lack correct physics simulation, do not support peripheral vision, or do not provide features required for assessment. Here we address these issues with a novel power wheelchair simulator and projection environment. Specifically we evaluate whether a narrow field of view, a wide field of view involving peripheral vision, and 3D stereoscopic projection influence the users´ driving performance. We found that users´ overall driving performance was significantly better with a wide field of view compared with a stereo or narrow view. The sense of presence was rated significantly higher by participants in the wide-view condition and participants also had a strong preference for this view. This suggests wide-view to be the most promising among the evaluated visualization conditions and should be considered in the development of virtual power wheelchair simulator systems.