Measurement of presence in virtual reality and the factors that influence presence

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is a booming subject. From slick new videogames to futuristic applications for societal problems, the options are seemingly endless. But how can we use VR in our daily lives? Before we can answer this question, we must understand how VR works and how we can so fully immerse ourselves in its virtual environments. One’s sense of presence within a virtual environment dictates whether or not we can interact within it as if it were real. Therefore, this thesis aims to answer a twofold question: what are the factors that influence the rate at which presence is experienced in virtual reality? And how is presence measured? This thesis gives an overview of 16 factors that influence presence and 13 measurement techniques, which are analysed and a recommendation for future presence research is given.