Virtual reality software induces motion sickness

Virtual reality software makes some people feel ill for up to eight hours after use, according to the latest research.

The Health & Safety Executive is warning employers that the worst cases of nausea are felt by people with a history of migraine headaches.

Researchers at Notting-ham University tested the effects of a virtual reality health and safety training course on 221 people. When the experimental subjects were visually immersed in a virtual factory full of health hazards, as many as 70% reported some motion sickness.

In most cases this was mild and passed within 10 minutes of exposure to the virtual experience. However, on average, 7% of the participants had to drop out of the experiment within the first 20 minutes of the hour-long session. Those who suffered most were people who were already prone to migraines, travel sickness and distrust of virtual reality technology.