Overview
SIST-TP CEN ISO/TR 9241-393:2022 (identical to ISO/TR 9241-393:2020) is a technical report and structured literature review on visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) during viewing of electronic images. The document summarizes scientific evidence about VIMS related to images shown on flat panel displays, electronic projection screens, and head‑mounted displays (HMDs). It is part of the ISO 9241 series on ergonomics of human–system interaction and was prepared by ISO/TC 159 (Ergonomics) and adopted by CEN.
Key topics covered
- Theories of visually induced motion sickness - conceptual models explaining VIMS mechanisms.
- Measurement of VIMS - experimental methods, symptom scaling and severity assessment (see Annex B for symptom scaling).
- Effective factors that influence VIMS, organized into three groups:
- Visual image factors (e.g., visual motion, stereoscopic content, spatial frequency, chromaticity, blur, prediction cues).
- Visual environmental factors (e.g., image size in the visual field, perspective differences in capture vs. rendering, time delay in HMDs, duration and repeated exposure, audio/odor cross‑modal effects).
- Individual viewer factors (e.g., age, gender, fixation behavior, active vs. passive viewing).
- Susceptibility probability - evidence on who is more likely to experience VIMS.
- Scaling of VIMS severity - approaches for quantifying symptom intensity.
- Informative annexes: overview of ISO 9241 series (Annex A), symptom scaling (Annex B), and production‑oriented factors (Annex C).
Practical applications - who should use it
- Ergonomists and human‑factors professionals assessing visual-system safety and user comfort.
- UX/UI and interaction designers developing immersive interfaces and video content.
- VR/AR/HMD manufacturers and software developers evaluating latency, stereoscopy and rendering to reduce VIMS risk.
- Content creators, broadcasters and game developers applying camera work and motion design that minimize viewer discomfort.
- Researchers and test labs designing VIMS studies or validating mitigation strategies.
- Standards bodies and regulatory groups seeking evidence-based summaries for guideline development.
Why it’s useful
This ISO technical report provides a consolidated, evidence‑based reference on factors that induce or mitigate visually induced motion sickness. It helps teams translate scientific findings into design checks, test protocols, and risk assessments without prescribing numeric limits - supporting safer, more comfortable electronic‑image experiences across entertainment, training, simulation and industrial applications.
Related standards
- Part of the ISO 9241 ergonomics of human‑system interaction series - see Annex A for an overview.
- Developed under ISO/TC 159 (Ergonomics) and adopted as CEN ISO/TR 9241‑393:2022 for European use.