A new user interface for human-computer interaction in virtual reality environments

This paper concerns the result of a research activity about the problems related to the human-computer interaction (both hardware and software) in virtual reality systems. In particular, a virtual reality application package, called VIRDE and used for the design review in immersive environment, has been used as a case study. After a detailed analysis of the hardware and software systems, and the examination of the main functional requirements, a new user interface has been developed. This new interface being composed of two input devices (tracked by an optical system) permits the two-hands interaction, instead of the most commonly single-hand interaction. The measurement of the software usability level, made by users’ evaluation tests, shows that the new interaction system allows the users a more natural and effective software management compared to the previous solution.