Guerreiro, João Pedro VieiraRodrigues, André Filipe Pereira, 1991-Ribeiro, Renato Alexandre Dias Torres2024-02-282024-02-2820242023http://hdl.handle.net/10451/63014Tese de mestrado, Informática , 2023, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasLocomotion plays a key role in Virtual Reality (VR), allowing users to navigate and explore the virtual world. Many VR locomotion techniques have been proposed, but those explored for and with blind people are often custom-made or require specialized equipment. Consequently, it is unclear how popular techniques can support blind people’s VR locomotion, blocking access to most VR experiences. To gain more insight into the accessibility of VR locomotion techniques, we explored a database of 109 techniques. However, the focus is on the motor skills needed to use the techniques. Thus, we took a closer look at accessibility-oriented guidelines, proposing new categories to the database regarding accessibility. Then, to help select VR locomotion techniques with the aim of investigating accessibility for blind people in more detail, we analyzed the techniques with the new categories proposed in the frst study, user experience attributes exposed in the database, literature and resources available on the market. We selected three common techniques - Arm Swinging, Linear Movement (joystick-based steering), and Point & Teleport - which are also very different among themselves. Then, we implemented and augmented them with audio and haptic cues for accessibility. We conducted a study with 14 blind participants consisting of navigation tasks with these techniques and a semi-structured interview. We found no differences in overall performance (e.g., completion time), but contrasting preferences. Findings highlight the challenges and advantages of each technique and strategies employed by participants. We discuss, among others, how augmenting the techniques enabled blind people to navigate in VR, the greater control of the movement of Arm Swinging, the simplicity and familiarity of Linear Movement, and the potential for effciency of Point & Teleport.engTécnicas de LocomoçãoAmbientes VirtuaisRealidade VirtualPessoas CegasNavegaçãoTeses de mestrado - 2024master thesis203882822