Evaluating 3D Printed VR Controller Prototypes to Increase VR Accessibility for Older Adults

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming how technology benefits society, including the areas of training, socialization, and entertainment. While VR’s growth has been substantial, VR hardware and applications are inaccessible in many ways, excluding a large population from experiencing its benefits. Current VR controllers potentially create an accessibility barrier for older adults who may experience confusion with the complexity of buttons, triggers, and joysticks. In the presented work, we recruited ten older adult participants to develop and evaluate 3D printed VR controller prototypes for usability and learnability. A series of participatory design focus groups discussed participants’ needs, opinions, and design preferences, while usability scales evaluated the prototypes. Iterations were implemented between sessions based on this feedback to further refine the designs. Findings suggest that a simplified VR controller layout can decrease confusion and increase learnability, potentially improving older adults’ ability to interact with virtual environments.