Columbia University CGUI Lab Research: Retargeting for Dynamic Movements of Controlled 3D Objects

The Z-Distance issue: When controlling an object in VR from a distance and attempting to collide said object with a target at speed, it becomes increasingly difficult to hit the target, as the user must dynamically assess and correct the distance in a very small amount of time. Else, the object arrives either in front of, or behind, the intended target. 
The current iteration includes a constantly updating targeting system. This system compares the distances between the controlling hand, the controlled object, and the intended target, and modifies the “Z-Distance” between the controlling hand and the controlled object to match the distance between the controlling hand and the intended target over time. The key is that this happens only as the controlled object is being moved closer to the target, and linearly interpolates the distance as a function of the decreasing angle between the objects. In this way, the distance is correct just as the object reaches the target.