Abstract:
Virtual Reality (VR) technology has emerged as a transformative medium for immersive experiences, particularly within the entertainment sector. However, chal lenges persist in terms of accessibility and user interaction, hindering widespread adop tion. This paper addresses these challenges by exploring and developing natural, intui tive, and culturally relevant hand gestures tailored for VR video streaming applications, focusing on YouTube VR. Drawing upon existing literature and user feedback, we iden tified the need for more intuitive interaction methods, particularly for volume control and pause-play functions. Through our user study, we proposed 9 unique hand gestures. Re sults from user studies indicate that these gestures have cultural relevance, with partici pants finding them easy to use and accessible, even for users with hand-shivering health issues. This research contributes to enhancing the user experience in YouTube VR and informs the development of more intuitive interaction methods for VR applications, ulti mately fostering broader acceptance and engagement in the VR space.