A Comparative Study on Locomotion Methods and Distance Perception in Immersive Virtual Reality

Accurately perceiving distances in virtual reality (VR) remains a challenge due to discrepancies between real-world and VR spatial experiences. This study compares four VR locomotion methods—Teleport, Joystick, Arms Swinging, and Real Walking—by evaluating distance perception, spatial orientation, and user experience. In an exploratory within-subject study, participants navigated a virtual environment, estimated distances, and completed various questionnaires (SSQ, IPQ, SUS, NASA TLX, and a comparison questionnaire). Results showed a mismatch between user preference and performance: while Arms Swinging was the least preferred method, it provided the most accurate distance estimation and spatial orientation.