Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) product requires expertise from diverse set of stakeholders. Moving from requirements to design mock-up(s) while building a VR product is an iterative process and requires manual effort. Due to lack of tool support, creating design templates and managing the respective versions turns out to be laborious and difficult. In this paper, we describe VReqDV, a model-driven VR design generation and versioning tool that can address this gap. The tool uses VR meta-model template as a foundation to facilitate a design pipeline. VReqDV can potentially facilitate design generation, design viewing, design versioning, design to require- ments conformity, traceability, and maintenance. It is a step forward in creating a Model-Driven Development pipeline for VR scene design generation. We demonstrate the capabilities of VReqDV using a simple game scene and share our insights for wider adoption by the VR community

Abstract

Software developers commonly use logging mechanisms to gather runtime data. Over the years, this information has been used for various purposes like debugging, behavioral analysis, system comprehension, etc. Frameworks such as log4j and Logback have helped standardize logging practices by incorporating Software Engineering principles. Logging interactions in Virtual Reality (VR) applications can help understand user behavior and assist with automated conformance checks. In this paper, we introduce VRSLOG, a generalized logging framework that can capture interactions across diverse VR scenes without any changes to the framework. We implement a prototype of the VRSLOG framework and demonstrate the generation of log files. Further, the log files are used to conduct conformance checks against a predefined expected sequence of events within the VR scene.

Abstract

Natural walking offers high immersion in Virtual Reality (VR) but is constrained by physical space. Overlapping architectures, which reuse physical space, are a potential solution. Building on foundational principles of Architecturally Consistent Maze Generation in VR [1], we developed,implemented, and evaluated the Procedural Overlapping Maze System (POMS). POMS procedurally generates and prunes right-angled, overlapping maze corridors in real-time, enabling continuous natural walking in footprints ≥ 4x4m. This paper presents a controlled, between-group empirical evaluation (N=17 matched pairs) comparing POMS against a spatially equivalent static maze in an 8x8m tracked area using an Oculus Quest 3. Participants performed a time-constrained navigation task. We investigated effects on user engagement (time-on-task), usability (User Experience Questionnaire - UEQ), presence (igroup Presence Questionnaire - iPQ), and cybersickness (Simulator Sickness Questionnaire - SSQ). We hypothesized POMS would lead to increased time-on-task (H1), and that its dynamic nature would not negatively impact user experience, aiming for UEQ, iPQ, and SSQ outcomes comparable to a static environment (H2-H4). Results indicated no statistically significant differences in UEQ (H2) or iPQ (H3) between conditions, supporting our hypotheses that POMS could maintain these experiential qualities. Surprisingly, regarding cybersickness (H4), the increase in Oculomotor, Disorientation, and Total SSQ symptoms was significantly smaller in the POMS condition compared to the Static condition, while there was no significant difference for Nausea. This finding demonstrates an unexpected and substantial comfort benefit with POMS, exceeding our initial hypothesis of mere comparability. While POMS did not show a statistically significant increase in time-on-task (H1) in this study, a numerical trend suggesting longer engagement was observed. The markedly improved comfort achieved with POMS strongly suggests that such architectures have the potential to facilitate longer interaction periods, warranting further investigation into task design to fully leverage this benefit. These findings highlight that procedurally overlapping architectures like POMS can enable extended natural walking, not only without degrading core experiential qualities,but also by significantly enhancing user comfort.

Abstract

Developing Virtual Reality (VR) software products with discrete and incremental requirements is a challenging task for VR practitioners. A domain expert’s assistance plays a key role in VR product completeness, as most VR requirements are abstract or under-specified during the early stages. Slight changes to the requirements can significantly impact the overall flow of the VR software development process. In this paper, we introduce VReqST, a tool for VR requirement analysts to specify requirements for building effective VR software products. It is developed based on a Role-based model template for specifying virtual environments, custom behaviors, VR-specific algorithms, user-flows, action responses, timeline of events, etc. The tool has been developed after several interactions with VR practitioners from industry & academia. We share our insights on the effectiveness of this tool in practice.

Abstract

The rapid evolution of Large Language Models (LLMs) have opened new possibilities in automating tasks across the software developing life cycle, including test case generation This paper presents a comparative analysis of six LLMs in the context of generating test cases for technical requirements written in natural language (in this case English). We compare publicly available general purpose LLMs viz., BARD, ChatGPT3.5, Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT4.o (Omni) and Llama3. The generated test cases are tested against a Simulink model created for the corresponding set of requirements. The coverage metrics thus generated are used for a quantitative comparison of the LLMs.

Abstract

: Gathering requirements for developing virtual reality (VR) software products is a labor-intensive process. It requires detailed elicitation of scene flow, articles in the scene, action responses, custom behaviors, and timeline of events. The slightest change in requirements will escalate the design and development costs. While most VR practitioners depend on conventional software engineering (SE) requirement-gathering techniques, there is a need for novel methods to streamline VR software development. With severe software platform fragmentation and hardware volatility, VR practitioners need assistance specifying non-volatile requirements for a minimum viable VR software product.

Abstract

The IEEE International Conference on Software Architecture (ICSA) is the premier gathering of practitioners and researchers interested in software architecture, component-based software engineering, and quality aspects of complex software systems. The 21st IEEE International Conference on Software Architecture (ICSA 2024) continued the tradition of a working conference, where attendees met and where software architects were able to explain the challenges they face and try to influence the future of the field. Interactive working sessions were the place where researchers met practitioners to identify opportunities to shape the future of our field.

Abstract

Walking is one of the most natural ways to explore an environment. While Virtual Reality (VR) facilities simulation of infinite spaces, its limited by the physical space available. To address this limitation, several techniques have been proposed, such as redirected walking, walking in place, and teleportation. While some of these techniques, such as teleportation and walking in place, disrupt the natural immersion, others like redirected walking limit the walkable area within the virtual space. The concept of overlapping architecture tackles this challenge by compressing large virtual environments into smaller spaces. This is achieved by generating portions of an environment that might be physically impossible as a whole. In this paper, we propose a system for creating maze-based virtual environments with multi-path capabilities. This system allows for infinite natural walking experiences while maintaining architectural consistency. Specifically, our system can generate distinct, customizable, and scalable virtual mazes for physical areas exceeding 4x4 meters. The combination of multi-path capabilities and architectural consistency can enhance the overall maze traversal experience for end users.

Abstract

Software practitioners use various methods in Requirements Engineering (RE) to elicit, analyze and specify the requirements of a enterprise products. The methods impact the final product characteristics and influence product delivery. Ad-hoc usage of the methods by software practitioners can lead to inconsistency and ambiguity in the product. With the notable rise in enterprise products, games, etc. across various domains, Virtual Reality (VR) has become an essential technology for the future. The methods adopted for requirement engineering for developing VR products requires a detailed study. This paper presents a mapping study on requirement engineering methods prescribed and used for developing VR applications including requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, and requirements specification. Our study provides insights into the use of such methods in the VR community and suggests using specific requirement engineering methods in various fields of interest. We also discuss future directions in requirement engineering for VR products.

Abstract

The use of emerging technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) in therapeutic settings has increased in the past few years. By incorporating VR, a mental health condition like depression can be assessed effectively, while also providing personalized motivation and meaningful engagement for treatment purposes. The integration of external sensors further enhances the engagement of the subjects with the VR scenes. This paper presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on the detection and treatment of depression using VR. It explores various types of VR scenes, external hardware, innovative metrics, and targeted user studies conducted by researchers and professionals in the field. The paper also discusses potential requirements for designing VR scenes specifically tailored for depression assessment and treatment, with the aim of guiding future practitioners in this area.