Head Best Practices

The following best practices guide the use of head tracking as an input method in immersive app design and development. They aim to enhance user experience and ensure optimal performance.

This section examines the inherent limitations and challenges that impact performance and usability and offers strategies for mitigation through design or code improvements.

The headset’s sensors have a certain range and angle from which they can detect the physical space around them, known as the tracking volume. This volume varies depending on the arrangement of sensors and cameras on the HMD. As a result, the direction in which the head is turned directly affects the moment at which tracked content, like hands, environment reference points, or objects, moves outside the tracked area, which can influence interaction.

To ensure that all relevant user motions are accurately tracked, it is recommended you design interactions that keep the user’s attention (head direction) towards the requested interaction. For example, when using hand tracking to type on a virtual keyboard, place the text entry field close to the keyboard so that the user’s hands remain within the tracked area while they look up to read their text. This approach helps minimize the impact of tracking volume limitations on user interaction.

Occlusion refers to the blocking of sensor visibility by obstacles, which can hinder accurate tracking. Occlusions can arise from both the surroundings and the user’s body, referred to as self-occlusions. Scenarios may include clothing, hands or physical surfaces being too close to the HMD, which can limit the device’s tracking capability.

Design interactions that avoid prompting the user to bring their hands close to their head or approach physical surfaces too closely, ensuring optimal tracking capability.

The quality and intensity of light can significantly affect the system’s ability to accurately detect the physical environment. For instance, being outside in bright sunlight can overwhelm the device’s sensors, which can result in virtual content freezing, headlock, or misplaced objects. Reflective or transparent surfaces can also pose challenges for accurate tracking.

Our devices adapt to varying light conditions, with continuous improvements through updates and new models. To ensure optimal head tracking, advise users to avoid environments with extreme brightness or reflective surfaces, for example through a note at the beginning of an application.

Below is a list of recommended practices when using head tracking in an immersive experience:

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