Locomotion comfort and usability

• Control duration and frequency: By keeping accelerations brief and infrequent, the likelihood of discomfort is reduced. This approach leverages the delay before the mismatch between vision and vestibular cues causes unease.
• Implement quantized velocity: This method involves setting fixed movement speeds (e.g., stopped, walking, running) and switching between them instantly. This reduces the duration of perceived acceleration, minimizing the mismatch between what users see and feel.
• Use stepped translations: Instead of smooth motion, implement movement as a series of small, rapid teleports. This technique, similar to snap turns in rotation, helps eliminate the perception of continuous motion, thereby reducing vection and potential discomfort.
• Restrict movement axes: Limiting movement to certain axes or specific angles (like 15, 30, 45, 90, or 180 degrees) can prevent disorientation, especially in sensitive users. The most restrictive form involves allowing only forward and backward movement, requiring users to physically turn to change direction, which aligns visual and vestibular inputs more closely.
• Stabilize camera elevation: To avoid the discomfort caused by vertical movements over uneven terrain, adjust the camera to maintain a consistent elevation relative to the ground. This can be achieved by repositioning the camera only when necessary, using techniques like teleportation or gradual elevation changes to smooth out transitions.
• Soft camera collisions: When the camera collides with virtual objects, opt for a soft collision approach where the camera slows down before stopping, rather than an abrupt halt. This method reduces the shock of sudden stops and helps users anticipate and adapt to boundaries more naturally.</p>