Accuracy of Time Duration Estimations in Virtual Reality

Abstract

Virtual Reality Head Mounted Displays (VR HMDs) offer highly immersive experiences that may alter users’ awareness and perception of the “real-world”. This paper investigates users’ perception of short duration (<5 minutes) time periods during simulated scenarios between two different simulation mediums. Fifty participants (Age: M=29.2 years; SD=10.7 years; 15 Females; 35 Males) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) VR HMD or (ii) desktop computer configuration, where they performed identical searching tasks within a virtual environment three consecutive times. After each virtual session participants were asked to verbally report their perception of time duration. Results reveal that participants across both groups overestimated time duration in virtual environments by an average of 20.3%. As participants gained experience performing the task repeatedly across three consecutive attempts, their task completion time reduced (i.e. learning effect). However, participants’ accuracy of time perception continued to be consistently overestimated across both conditions.