The Influence of Multisensory Haptic Feedback on Workload in Virtual Reality (VR) Tasks Performance

Task performance is a significant focus within the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) domain, particularly with the advent of technologies like Virtual Reality (VR). Understanding how individuals leverage VR for productive task execution is crucial as researchers continually seek ways to optimize human performance in digital spaces. Various studies have delved into factors influencing human performance in VR settings, including the engagement of primary senses - visual, auditory, and tactile (haptic). However, a notable gap exists in understanding how the intensity and availability of haptic feedback via VR controllers impact users cognitively during task performance.

This research project addresses factors regarding the intensity and availability of haptic feedback, and how these factors interact to affect the completion of a VR puzzle task. The primary challenge lies in determining the most effective combination of haptic feedback to enhance user productivity and effectiveness. By tackling this challenge, users can achieve greater success in VR-based tasks, especially in less-than-ideal environments outside the lab.  Addressing the research gap surrounding the utilization of varied haptic feedback intensities and availability via VR controllers is important to creating user experiences that are both more immersive and more effective. Such improvements can enhance engagement for VR users, particularly those performing in task-critical, cognitive-based applications.

The findings from this research illustrated that participants demonstrated higher performance and reduced frustration when exposed to moderate and consistent haptic feedback. The study suggested that while haptics can be beneficial, their usage should be moderated to avoid overwhelming or discomforting users.

Nuela Enebechi is an integral member of the Group Performance Environments Research (GROUPER) team at Purdue University, where she actively serves as a Research Assistant. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, specializing in Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction within the field of Extended Reality (Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)). Her primary passion lies in leveraging her expertise to create inclusive and accessible environments, fostering equitable research and design processes for a diverse range of technology users.

Throughout her academic journey at Purdue, Nuela has embraced numerous leadership and mentorship roles, making significant contributions to her community. She served as a Graduate Mentor for the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office (EURO) through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. Additionally, she worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) department, where she skillfully guided students in applying design principles and human-centered design concepts while collaborating closely with community project partners.

In 2022, Nuela gained invaluable industry experience as an intern at Apple. During her time there, she conducted research studies that contributed directly to the development of Apple's first spatial computer and the Vision Pro Extended Reality headset.

Barrett S. Caldwell, PhD is a Professor in Industrial Engineering (and Aeronautics & Astronautics) at Purdue. His PhD (Univ. of California, Davis, 1990) is in Social Psychology; his two BS degrees are from MIT (1985), representing an interdisciplinary integration of Aeronautics and Astronautics with Humanities. Prof. Caldwell’s research team, known as the Group Performance Environments Research (GROUPER) Laboratory, examines and improves how people get, share, and use information well. GROUPER research highlights human factors engineering approaches to information flow, task coordination, and team performance in settings from healthcare to spaceflight to STEM education. Prof. Caldwell has authored over 150 scientific publications and graduated 14 PhD and over 30 MS thesis students as advisor or co-advisor.

Projects since 2005 have been funded by sources including Idaho National Laboratory, Motorola, NASA, and the United Space Alliance. He has served on multiple National Research Council activities, including as a track co-chair for the NAE Frontiers of Engineering Conference and as a member of an NAE / IOM working group on Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military. He is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and a Purdue University Faculty Scholar. In October 2013, Prof. Caldwell took over as Secretary-Treasurer of the HFES, one of only two officer positions in the Executive Council of one of the leading human factors and ergonomics research societies in the world. In addition, Prof. Caldwell has served as the Director and PI of the Indiana Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-funded program emphasizing STEM literacy, education, and workforce development for the State of Indiana. He has served on the Executive Committee of the National Council of Space Grant Directors, and on NASA-wide working groups to improve the placement of students into internship opportunities across all 10 NASA Centers.