Passive Arm Swing Motion for Virtual Walking Sensation

Abstract

The present paper describes the characteristics of an arm swing display as a part of the multisensory display for creation of walking sensation to the user who is sitting on a vestibular display (a motion chair). The passive arm swing by the display was evaluated regarding the sensation of walking. About 20 % smaller (from 25 to 35 degree) passive swing angle than a real walking motion could effectively enhanced the sensation of walking when displayed as a single modality stimulus for a walking of 1.4 s period. The flexion/extension ratio was shifted forward from the real walk. The optimal swing obtained by the method of adjustment showed the same characteristics. The sensation of walking was markedly increased when both of the passive arm swing and the vestibular stimulus were synchronously presented. The active arm swing raised less walking sensation than the passive arm swing, which might be ascribed to original passiveness of the arm swing during real walking.