Generalised Algorithms for Redirected Walking in Virtual Environments

Abstract

Several authors have identified benefits from allowing users to move through a virtual environment (VE) by walking in the real world. However implementation of this approach can be problematic, particularly for largescale VEs, primarily because of the need to avoid the user colliding with real-world obstacles. 'Redirected walking'[1] offers a possible solution to this problem - this algorithm directs the user's movements in the real world by imperceptibly rotating their orientation in the virtual world. This paper extends the original redirected walking algorithm to increase its applicability to a wider range of VEs. Results are presented from simulations of these algorithms which provide guidance for development of an immersive virtual reality system based on redirected walking.