Expressiveness of real-time motion captured avatars influences perceived animation realism and perceived quality of social interaction in virtual reality

Abstract

Using motion capture to enhance the realism of social interaction in virtual reality (VR) is growing in popularity. However, the impact of different levels of avatar expressiveness on the user experience is not well understood. In the present study we manipulated levels of face and body expressiveness of avatars while investigating participant perceptions of animation realism and interaction quality when disclosing positive and negative experiences in VR. Moderate positive associations were observed between perceptions of animation realism and interaction quality. Post-experiment questions revealed that many of our participants (approximately 40%) indicated the avatar with the highest face and body expressiveness as having the most realistic face and body expressions. The same proportion also indicated the avatar with the highest face and body expressiveness as being the most comforting and enjoyable avatar to interact with. Our results suggest that higher levels of face and body expressiveness are important for enhancing perceptions of realism and interaction quality within a social interaction in VR using motion capture.

A Survey on Realistic Virtual Human Animations: Definitions, Features and Evaluations

“…In this context, the interaction‐based features include both the global characteristics of the whole body‐trajectory (e.g., whole body trajectory adaptations to navigate an environment without collisions), and the local characteristics of the motion during such situations of interaction. In addition, let us note that our survey only focuses on the realism of VHs and did not include all the studies related to avatar realism during social interactions, which of course are an important and active research area (e.g., [FBH*22,RBB*22,HOB20,LRG*17,GSV*03]).…”

Evolution and innovations in animation: A comprehensive review and future directions

“…While animation has been widely used in various fields such as entertainment, advertising, and education, it also has its negative influences. For instance, work 79 founds that the expressiveness of real‐time motion captured avatars can influence perceived animation realism and perceived quality of social interaction in VR. This suggests that the design and implementation of animation in VR need to be carefully considered to ensure a positive user experience.…”