Evaluating aircraft cabin design in virtual reality : the role of environmental context

Abstract

As virtual reality (VR) becomes more integrated into collaborative design and development processes, it is essential to understand how visual context influences user experience and evaluation. Since visual perception is highly subjective and varies across stakeholder groups, the design of the visual environment must be carefully considered, as it directly shapes the sense of presence. However, the role of environmental context in VR-based design evaluations remains largely unexplored. This paper investigates the influence of virtual contexts on evaluations of aircraft cabins. The goal is to identify combinations of cabin visualisation and environmental design that promote positive and consistent user experiences. Our VR user study empirically compares multiple environmental contexts and aircraft visualisations and assesses perceived appropriateness, task effectiveness, and distraction. Specifically, the study examines hangar, airport, and open-sky contexts in combination with different levels of cabin visualisation. The results suggest that a closed cabin combined with a sky environment is the most conducive setting. Overall, the findings demonstrate that virtual context significantly impacts well-being, concentration, and evaluation consistency, highlighting its crucial role in VR-based cabin assessment.