Examining Visual Search Performance in XR Environments amidst Visual Distractions

Extended Reality (XR) head-worn displays (HWDs) represent a new generation of technologies capable of seamlessly integrating digital content into the physical world. As XR HWDs become more widely adopted, malicious actors are incentivized to develop novel attack methods to manipulate user awareness and attention. Consequently, it is important for researchers and designers to investigate how such visual disruptions affect users’ ability to interact with XR systems. In this preliminary work, we examine how visual stimuli may distract users in XR. We present findings from a user study on visual search performance across multiple 3D user interface conditions.

Participant view of the virtual environment during a study trial with no visual distraction stimuli shown, illustrating all four combinations of Selection Modality and Frame of Reference conditions.

, , , ,