The task of inputting text within virtual reality has attracted significant research attention over the last five years. Less well explored is the related task of correcting inputted text when errors are made. This is despite the fact that considerable time and frustration stems from efforts to correct text. In this paper, we bridge this gap in prior research and explore efficient methods for supporting text input correction in virtual reality. We present a characterization of the types and frequencies of errors encountered when inputting text in virtual reality and an analysis of effective editing strategies. We also present the results of a user study evaluating the performance and usability trade-offs for several interaction methods leveraging the unique capabilities of modern head-mounted displays.

Integrated hand-tracking on modern virtual reality (VR) headsets can be readily exploited to deliver mid-air virtual input surfaces for text entry. These virtual input surfaces can closely replicate the experience of typing on a Qwerty keyboard on a physical touchscreen, thereby allowing users to leverage their pre-existing typing skills. However, the lack of passive haptic feedback, unconstrained user motion, and potential tracking inaccuracies or observability issues encountered in this interaction setting typically degrades the accuracy of user articulations. We present a comprehensive exploration of error-tolerant probabilistic hand-based input methods to support effective text input on a mid-air virtual Qwerty keyboard. Over three user studies we examine the performance potential of hand-based text input under both gesture and touch typing paradigms. We demonstrate typical entry rates in the range of 20 to 30 wpm and average peak entry rates of 40 to 45 wpm.