Headband against Motion Sickness

Nicht jeder kann Virtual Reality uneingeschränkt geniessen: Bei vielen Nutzern von VR-Brillen kommt es zur sogenannten „Motion Sickness“ – dabei handelt es sich um vorübergehende Schwindelgefühle. Ein chinesischer Hersteller von AR- und VR-Headsets will nun eine Lösung für das Problem gefunden haben.

There are still many applications where many users complain of discomfort during and after a VR experience. The complaints that according to a study, more than half of all VR users have already experienced range from headaches to dizziness to vomiting. Even though the causes of VR sickness have not yet been conclusively clarified, most theories assume that the main reason lies in a deviation between the simulation shown and the body perception experienced: for example, during a VR roller coaster ride, images are suggested to the brain that are normally accompanied by strong centrifugal forces. However, if these forces do not kick in, the organ of equilibrium interprets this deviation as a disturbance and generates defensive reactions such as nausea - similar to poisoning.

With a headband against nausea

Dieses Problem wollen jetzt zwei Unternehmen mit vibrierenden Stirnbändern lösen. Wobei; ganz so sicher ist sich das Unternehmen AntVR offenbar selbst nicht: In einer E-Mail heisst es offenbar, der sogenannte „Haptic Feedback Strap“ könne das Problem der Motion Sickness „vielleicht“ lösen. Bei dem Zubehör handelt es sich um ein Stirnband, das man unter dem Virtual-Reality-Headset tragen soll.

Compatible with popular headsets

Several motors are integrated into the Haptic Feedback Strap, which vibrate in different ways depending on the movement in virtual reality. The manufacturer did not reveal whether the headband also influences the sense of balance of the inner ear. After all, almost 100 test persons are said to have tested the Haptic Feedback Strap in the context of a virtual roller coaster ride for AntVR. And this was tested with allegedly positive feedback, according to a tweet from AntVR:

Without the headband, only two people would have managed to survive two rides. The gadget supports various common headsets, including HTC Vive, Oculus Go and Oculus Rift. By the way, not all users experience motion sickness. In addition to one's own susceptibility, the headset and the virtual reality application used also play a role.

Source: curved / wired