LegSense: Inducing Walking Sensation in Seated VR by Providing Movement Illusion via Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Abstract

Providing convincing proprioceptive cues is essential for immersive virtual reality (VR) navigation. However, this is challenging for seated users with restricted mobility. To address this gap, this study proposes LegSense, a method designed to induce the walking sensation in VR via electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). This method activates the leg muscle senses in sync with the gait cycle without requiring physical motion to enhance users' immersion. We evaluated the efficacy of LegSense through a user study and confirmed its potential in terms of walking sensation, embodiment, and presence compared to other static conditions (baseline and vibro-tactile). Additionally, participant interviews confirmed that LegSense effectively creates a leg movement illusion, suggesting its potential applications in diverse virtual scenarios to enhance VR experiences for seated users.