Quantification and Analysis of Stress Levels While Walking Up and Down a Step in Real Space and VR Space Using Electrocardiogram

The purpose of this study is to quantify the fear during walking in VR space. We conduct an experiment where subjects walk up and down steps in real and VR spaces. A path with steps of 10cm high was placed in the real and VR spaces. Subjects wore an HMD and walked along the path. The coordinate systems of the real and VR spaces were calibrated in advance, and the real and virtual steps were placed at the same position. It is considered that fear relates to the stress level. We used ECG (Electrocardiogram) to measure the degree of stress during the experiment and Poincare plot and LF/HF for analyzing the feeling of fear. The results indicate that it is possible to give stress to subjects when they walk through a space with steps in a VR space.