Safety analysis

Safety Analysis

When one is using VR, the inability to see the surrounding objects in the real world may give rise to some safety concerns. In this analysis, we will address the possible causes, effects and responses to these concerns.

Physical risks

Injuries

Physical injuries may arise when there are obstacles or sharp objects present in the space used for VR, or when the user is trying to cross the digital frontier, which corresponds to the border of the space set up in the real world.

To avoid unnecessary injuries, we advise the user or their caretaker to clear the space before using VR. It is crucial to remove any object that can cause physical injuries away from the area. Additionally, it would be ideal if the space in the real world is slightly bigger than the corresponding space one perceive in the virtual world. This can help prevent any injury caused when the user approaches the boundary of the VR space.

In Tilt Brush, a blue grid reminds the user of the boundary of the area that they are confined to. If the user want to move to a space outside the grid, they can use the teleport function located on the controller. These instruction should be well communicated to the user at the beginning, so to avoid the situation of them walking beyond the bounded space.

Dizziness

Ethan, our user, did not feel any discomfort during user testing. However, when creating the prototype, some team members felt dizzy after spending a lot of time in VR. This may be due to the discrepancy between the information gathered through different senses, like what happens when we suffer from motion sickness.

To minimize such discomfort, the user should stop using VR and rest when they have such symptoms. Dizziness can also be avoided if the user limit the time they spend in VR.

Psychological risks

Anxiety

For first time users, the VR environment can be very overwhelming. It is possible that some individuals with ASD will not be able to comprehend the virtual world, like what we observed during the session with Nishan DeCosta. When they are unable to comprehend what is going on, our user is highly likely to experience anxiety. In addition, prolong or sudden exposure to an environment loaded with sensory stimuli may also cause anxiety.

In order to minimize the level of stress, the user should start with a less overwhelming environment in VR. Take the dancing room as an example, the volume of music and brightness of lights should be relatively low when the user first enters. The caretaker can gradually increase the volume by adjusting it on the computer desktop. The gradual build up of visual and auditory input can help the caretaker to figure out the maximum level of stimulation that the user is comfortable with. Limiting the stimuli below this observed threshold can help prevent sensory overload, thus avoid anxiety.

Moreover, it is important to limit the time that the user spend in VR. Setting a 5-10 minutes limit is recommended for most individuals on the spectrum, as suggested by a therapist at Soaring Eagle Academy. Such time limit is just a suggestion based on past experience with individuals with ASD in environments loaded with sensory stimuli. Most importantly, the caretaker should supervise the user, so to provide immediate help when the user is feeling stressed.

For individuals whose developmental age is significantly young, we do not recommend using VR. The user should be able to distinguish the difference between the real world and the virtual world for them to enjoy the VR multisensory experience.