Ever found yourself frustrated by VR games that demand big, unwieldy movements? At the University of Waterloo, researchers have developed MotionBlocks—a flexible tool that lets you customise game controls to fit your unique physical capabilities. Presented at the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Japan, this approach makes the virtual world a bit more welcoming, especially for those with mobility challenges.
MotionBlocks works much like the custom control setups you might find in traditional games, but it extends that idea into 3D space. The team began with a three-phase study, collecting detailed insights from 10 people who experience mobility restrictions. Their feedback was key to designing a system where users define movements they can comfortably perform, which are then mapped to the in-game actions.
Johann Wentzel, a Ph.D. graduate and lead researcher, mentioned, “VR games provide important social spaces, especially for younger generations,” highlighting how vital these environments can be. Dr Daniel Vogel, a Computer Science professor at Waterloo, added that this method rethinks how controller inputs are interpreted, providing a practical way for everyone to enjoy VR without overexertion.
User tests with eight participants revealed that MotionBlocks not only boosted enjoyment but also reduced fatigue, pointing to its potential to make VR more inclusive. While the researchers aren’t planning to commercialise MotionBlocks right away, they hope the innovation encourages the wider tech industry to integrate similar accessibility features into future VR systems.
