AI Could Aid In The Prediction Of Cybersickness In VR Users

According to a new study, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to help tackle nausea, migraines, and dizziness among virtual reality (VR) users and make the technology more accessible.

With the increasing use and demand for VR technology, being able to effectively forecast and avoid cybersickness was critical, according to experts from Australia’s Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Torrens University. They investigated the application of AI techniques and machine learning algorithms to predict cybersickness in potential VR headset users.

Questionnaire responses were divided into two groups: those who would experience cybersickness symptoms within minutes of using VR equipment and those who would not have any problems using VR devices.

The findings, published in the journal Virtual Reality, indicated that AI could predict VR user discomfort with 93% accuracy.

“Most people feel discomfort after having a VR experience, and having the ability to predict the occurrence of cybersickness for an individual helps VR developers and manufacturers come up with solutions and take preemptive actions to create a better experience for VR users and address the issues causing it,” said Niusha Shafiabady, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology at CDU.

“In this day and age, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for remote access and virtual education has grown significantly.” “Because of the great discomfort caused by the VR experience, cybersickness is one of the factors that prevents users from using VR devices,” she noted.

According to Professor Shafiabady, the next stage might be to use explainable AI algorithms to investigate why the algorithms made their predictions, providing developers and manufacturers with reasons why customers will feel uncomfortable.

“We are transitioning from using VR devices for essential activities like remotely servicing manufacturers and teaching to less essential but more fun activities like looking into outer space through a VR lens,” she said. “In this day and age, VR users should be able to reap the benefits of technology without experiencing pain.”