Egocentric skilled human activity psychomotor training: A case study involving mechanical simulated part-based process

• Main Authors: Sideris, Dimitrios, Dasygenis, Minas, Papagiannakis, George, Protopsaltis, Antonis
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case studies; Human influences; Physical properties; Psychomotor performance; Snow; Training; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0234662

Virtual reality (VR) training shows promise for developing skilled psychomotor movements compared to traditional methods. This paper presents a case study of using VR simulation to train prospective drivers on proper snow chain installation technique. An anti-skid snow-chain was 3D modeled, rigged and animated with physical properties, providing realistic high-fidelity behavior for VR users. A virtual world and an immersive egocentric VR training scenario, supporting simulated VR user actions, tailored to specific user interactions, were further developed using Unreal Engine. A usability evaluation experiment with twenty-five drivers provided auto-logged quantitative metrics, and qualitative feedback, gathered during the training process. Despite the limited sample size, initial findings and the demonstration of high proficiency by trainees during the training scenario, suggest that VR enables meaningful advantages for the development of complex psychomotor skills, for the trainees involved in the specific training scenario. These initial conclusions, regarding the impact of VR training in such mechanical simulated part-based process, will be greatly useful for studies dealing with the learning impact and knowledge retention of VR training.