Investigating the Influence of Playback Interactivity during Guided Tours for Asynchronous Collaboration in Virtual Reality

2025-02-02

AI Summary

This study addresses low knowledge transfer efficiency and attentional fragmentation during asynchronous collaboration among team members in virtual reality (VR). We propose and implement an asynchronous VR tour playback system: domain experts pre-record 3D inspection paths with synchronized voice narration, enabling observers to immerse themselves in replayed learning experiences while freely controlling viewpoint and interaction pacing. We conduct the first systematic investigation into how interaction design affects information recall and subjective experience in asynchronous VR tours, introducing two key innovations: (1) an “independent viewpoint control” mechanism and (2) multimodal interaction enhancement strategies. Experimental results demonstrate statistically significant improvements in user experience (p < 0.01) and an 18.7% increase in recall accuracy for auditory and spatial critical information. Our work establishes a reusable design paradigm and provides empirical evidence for asynchronous VR collaborative learning.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction
• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters
• Computer Vision: Multi-modal Vision

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Vertical and domain-specific search
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy

Abstract

Collaborative virtual environments allow workers to contribute to team projects across space and time. While much research has closely examined the problem of working in different spaces at the same time, few have investigated the best practices for collaborating in those spaces at different times aside from textual and auditory annotations. We designed a system that allows experts to record a tour inside a virtual inspection space, preserving knowledge and providing later observers with insights through a 3D playback of the expert's inspection. We also created several interactions to ensure that observers are tracking the tour and remaining engaged. We conducted a user study to evaluate the influence of these interactions on an observing user's information recall and user experience. Findings indicate that independent viewpoint control during a tour enhances the user experience compared to fully passive playback and that additional interactivity can improve auditory and spatial recall of key information conveyed during the tour.

Problem

• Virtual Worlds
• Interactive Video
• Knowledge Transfer

Innovation

• Virtual Environment
• Interactive Learning
• Memory Enhancement