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360° images offer panoramic views of captured environments, placing users within an egocentric perspective. While users can freely rotate their viewpoint, they don't experience 6-DoF navigation with translational movement. In this research, we introduce Avatar360, a novel method to elicit 6-DoF perception in 360° panoramas, using avatar-assisted navigation combined with an exocentric view of the 360° panorama. We seamlessly integrate a 3D avatar into 360° panoramas, allowing users to navigate a 3D virtual landscape congruent with the 360° background. By aligning the exocentric perspective of the 360° panorama with the avatar's movements, we replicate a sensation of 6-DoF navigation in 360° panoramas. We explore mechanisms for simultaneous avatar and viewpoint controls, as well as procedures for transitions between spatially connected 360° panoramas. A user study was conducted to assess the perception of 6-DoF navigation in 360° panoramas via a 3D avatar, evaluating users' sense of movement, disorientation, and presence. We also gained insight into perspective view controls and transition techniques between panoramas. Statistical analysis shows avatar-assisted navigation elicits a user's sense of movement within 360° panoramas. Our results also provide guidelines for effective view control and transition strategies in avatar-assisted 360° navigation.
Chalmers et al. (2024) studied this question.