Egocentric Distance Perception: A Comparative Study Investigating Differences Between Real and Virtual Environments

Perception ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 940-967
Author(s):  
Ilja T. Feldstein ◽  
Felix M. Kölsch ◽  
Robert Konrad
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Egocentric Distance ◽  
The Real ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Depth Analysis

Virtual reality systems are a popular tool in behavioral sciences. The participants’ behavior is, however, a response to cognitively processed stimuli. Consequently, researchers must ensure that virtually perceived stimuli resemble those present in the real world to ensure the ecological validity of collected findings. Our article provides a literature review relating to distance perception in virtual reality. Furthermore, we present a new study that compares verbal distance estimates within real and virtual environments. The virtual space—a replica of a real outdoor area—was displayed using a state-of-the-art head-mounted display. Investigated distances ranged from 8 to 13 m. Overall, the results show no significant difference between egocentric distance estimates in real and virtual environments. However, a more in-depth analysis suggests that the order in which participants were exposed to the two environments may affect the outcome. Furthermore, the study suggests that a rising experience of immersion leads to an alignment of the estimated virtual distances with the real ones. The results also show that the discrepancy between estimates of real and virtual distances increases with the incongruity between virtual and actual eye heights, demonstrating the importance of an accurately set virtual eye height.

scholarly journals Distance Perception in the Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kelly ◽  
Taylor Doty ◽  
Morgan Ambourn ◽  
Lucia Cherep
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Real World ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Egocentric Distance ◽  
The Real ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Real Environment

Distances in virtual environments (VEs) viewed on a head-mounted display (HMD) are typically underperceived relative to the intended distance. This paper presents an experiment comparing perceived egocentric distance in a real environment with that in a matched VE presented in the Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2. Participants made verbal judgments and blind walking judgments to an object on the ground. Both the Quest and Quest 2 produced underperception compared to the real environment. Verbal judgments in the VE were 86\% and 79\% of real world judgments in the Quest and Quest 2, respectively. Blind walking judgments were 78% and 79% of real world judgments in the Quest and Quest 2, respectively. This project shows that significant underperception of distance persists even in modern HMDs.

Effects of Stereo Viewing Conditions on Distance Perception in Virtual Environments

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Willemsen ◽  
Amy A. Gooch ◽  
William B. Thompson ◽  
Sarah H. Creem-Regehr
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Monocular Viewing ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Head Mounted Displays ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Distance Judgments

Several studies from different research groups investigating perception of absolute, egocentric distances in virtual environments have reported a compression of the intended size of the virtual space. One potential explanation for the compression is that inaccuracies and cue conflicts involving stereo viewing conditions in head mounted displays result in an inaccurate absolute scaling of the virtual world. We manipulate stereo viewing conditions in a head mounted display and show the effects of using both measured and fixed inter-pupilary distances, as well as bi-ocular and monocular viewing of graphics, on absolute distance judgments. Our results indicate that the amount of compression of distance judgments is unaffected by these manipulations. The equivalent performance with stereo, bi-ocular, and monocular viewing suggests that the limitations on the presentation of stereo imagery that are inherent in head mounted displays are likely not the source of distance compression reported in previous virtual environment studies.

Distance Estimation in Virtual Environments

1995 ◽  
Vol 39 (20) ◽  
pp. 1268-1272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Lampton ◽  
Daniel P. McDonald ◽  
Michael Singer ◽  
James P. Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Real World ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Distance Estimation ◽  
Separate Group ◽  
The Real ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Real World Setting

This paper describes an experiment to evaluate a procedure for measuring distance perception in immersive VEs. Forty-eight subjects viewed a VE with a Head Mounted Display (HMD), a Binocular Omni-Oriented Monitor (BOOM), or a computer monitor. Subjects estimated the distance to a figure of known height that was initially 40 ft away. As the figure moved forward, subjects indicated when the figure was perceived to be 30, 20, 10, 5, and 2.5 ft away. A separate group of 36 subjects performed the task in a real-world setting roughly comparable to the VE. VE distance estimation was highly variable across subjects. For distance perception involving a moving figure, in the VE conditions most subjects called out before the figure had closed to the specified distances. Distance estimation was least accurate with the monitor. In the real world, most subjects called out after the figure had closed to or passed the specified distances. Ways to improve the procedure are discussed.

scholarly journals Physically Based Soap Bubble Synthesis for VR

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3090
Author(s):  
Sangwook Yoo ◽  
Cheongho Lee ◽  
Seongah Chin
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Soap Bubble ◽  
Temporal Constraints ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Soap Bubbles ◽  
Physical Motion ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Interesting Topic ◽  
Physically Based

To experience a real soap bubble show, materials and tools are required, as are skilled performers who produce the show. However, in a virtual space where spatial and temporal constraints do not exist, bubble art can be performed without real materials and tools to give a sense of immersion. For this, the realistic expression of soap bubbles is an interesting topic for virtual reality (VR). However, the current performance of VR soap bubbles is not satisfying the high expectations of users. Therefore, in this study, we propose a physically based approach for reproducing the shape of the bubble by calculating the measured parameters required for bubble modeling and the physical motion of bubbles. In addition, we applied the change in the flow of the surface of the soap bubble measured in practice to the VR rendering. To improve users’ VR experience, we propose that they should experience a bubble show in a VR HMD (Head Mounted Display) environment.

scholarly journals Wired to Exit: Exploring the Effects of Wayfinding Affordances in Underground Facilities Using Virtual Reality

2020 ◽  
pp. 104687812094456
Author(s):  
Panos Kostakos ◽  
Paula Alavesa ◽  
Mikko Korkiakoski ◽  
Mario Monteiro Marques ◽  
Victor Lobo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Biometric Measurements ◽  
Physiological Outcomes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Level Effect

Background Wayfinding has been adopted in several intense evacuation and navigation simulations; however, the use of biometric measurements for characterizing physiological outcomes has been somewhat overlooked and applied only under limited laboratory conditions. Methods Twenty-four participants took part in a virtual reality (VR) experiment using a wayfinding installation with the Oculus Rift S head-mounted display (HMD). They were immersed in a simulation of a burning underground parking lot and tasked to navigate to the exit. The purpose of this research was to investigate the high-level effect of wayfinding assistive lights on behavioral, physiological, and psychological outcomes. Participants were split into two groups: the control group was exposed to a scene without assistive lights, and the experimental group was exposed to the same scene with assistive lights. Results Results indicate there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in traveled distance, pauses, turns, or game completion time. Curiously, differences between the two groups in heart rate (HR) outcomes were found to be statistically significant, with subjects in the control group displaying an increasing HR trend during simulation. Conclusions This finding, in accordance with previous studies that have shown the efficacy of landmarks and wayfinding affordances in reducing cognitive demands, suggests that assistive lights might contribute to improved brain wiring connectivity during the game. We discuss these findings in the context of a rich wayfinding affordances literature.

scholarly journals T218. A REAL ENVIRONMENT BASED VIRTUAL REALITY PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT MAY HELP PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA TO INCREASE SOCIAL FUNCTIONING: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S315-S316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Ilgın Hoşgelen ◽  
Faik Kartelli ◽  
Markus Berger ◽  
Simay Erinç ◽  
Deniz Yerlikaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Treatment Program ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Treatment ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Environment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Preliminary Study

Abstract Background Emerging new technologies may lead to the discovery of new treatment techniques in psychiatric disorders. Virtual Reality (VR) is being one of the newly developed techniques that has also taken its place in literature very recently. VR is a new technology for treatment of psychiatric symptoms. This is a pilot study that aims to determine the behavioral and symptomatic response of patients to a real recorded VR environment. In this study, a virtual reality laboratory has been established and a psychosocial treatment program through virtual reality has been developed for patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of VR psychosocial treatment program on psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia. Methods Data were collected from the patients who applied to Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Outpatient Clinic. Seven schizophrenia patients who met schizophrenia according to DSM-V diagnostic criteria were included into the study. The level of psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), the positive and negative symptom severity was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and social skills were assessed by using the Social Skills Checklist (SSC). The VR psychosocial treatment program included 10 sessions and was carried on for five weeks as twice a week. Each session had different real virtual environment applications including social interaction components such as in a café to buy a beverage, a bazaar or market to do shopping, taking a bus, tram, and/or ferry, etc. Results PSP scores were statistically different after and before virtual reality assessment (p=0,018). SSC scores were trend to be significance after the VR application (p=0,062). After five weeks, patients’ the number of going outside home, the places they go and the activities they do have been increased compared to the numbers at the beginning but did not differ in statistically significance. None of the patients reported motion sickness due to exposure to real environment during or after immersive process of VR. There was no significant difference regarding PANSS scores after the VR psychosocial treatment. In this study real environment VR sessions did not trigger positive symptoms of schizophrenia patients. Discussion In this preliminary study, we found that the real environment VR psychosocial application is eligible for schizophrenia patients to improve their social skills and daily activities. This study helped patients to experience the real environment without being there and encouraged them to be “really” in there. Soon, cognitive remediation programs and psychosocial functioning therapies may be conducted via VR and may help the patients to cope with their symptoms and daily life difficulties.

How Much of What We Learn in Virtual Reality Transfers to Real-World Navigation?

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 479-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Hejtmanek ◽  
Michael Starrett ◽  
Emilio Ferrer ◽  
Arne D. Ekstrom
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Real World ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Spatial Knowledge ◽  
Desktop Computer ◽  
The Real ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Spatial Environment ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Past studies suggest that learning a spatial environment by navigating on a desktop computer can lead to significant acquisition of spatial knowledge, although typically less than navigating in the real world. Exactly how this might differ when learning in immersive virtual interfaces that offer a rich set of multisensory cues remains to be fully explored. In this study, participants learned a campus building environment by navigating (1) the real-world version, (2) an immersive version involving an omnidirectional treadmill and head-mounted display, or (3) a version navigated on a desktop computer with a mouse and a keyboard. Participants first navigated the building in one of the three different interfaces and, afterward, navigated the real-world building to assess information transfer. To determine how well they learned the spatial layout, we measured path length, visitation errors, and pointing errors. Both virtual conditions resulted in significant learning and transfer to the real world, suggesting their efficacy in mimicking some aspects of real-world navigation. Overall, real-world navigation outperformed both immersive and desktop navigation, effects particularly pronounced early in learning. This was also suggested in a second experiment involving transfer from the real world to immersive virtual reality (VR). Analysis of effect sizes of going from virtual conditions to the real world suggested a slight advantage for immersive VR compared to desktop in terms of transfer, although at the cost of increased likelihood of dropout. Our findings suggest that virtual navigation results in significant learning, regardless of the interface, with immersive VR providing some advantage when transferring to the real world.

scholarly journals Audio, visual, and audio-visual egocentric distance perception by moving subjects in virtual environments

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rébillat ◽  
Xavier Boutillon ◽  
Étienne Corteel ◽  
Brian F. G. Katz
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Egocentric Distance

Influence of Physical Characteristics of Routes on Distance Cognition in Virtual Environments

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 777-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebru Cubukcu ◽  
Jack L Nasar
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spatial Behavior ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Parking Garage ◽  
The Real ◽  
Predicting Behavior

Discrepanices between perceived and actual distance may affect people's spatial behavior. In a previous study Nasar, using self report of behavior, found that segmentation (measured through the number of buildings) along the route affected choice of parking garage and path from the parking garage to a destination. We recreated that same environment in a three-dimensional virtual environment and conducted a test to see whether the same factors emerged under these more controlled conditions and to see whether spatial behavior in the virtual environment accurately reflected behavior in the real environment. The results confirmed similar patterns of response in the virtual and real environments. This supports the use of virtual reality as a tool for predicting behavior in the real world and confirms increases in segmentation as related to increases in perceived distance.

Impact of Augmented Reality (AR) in Civil Engineering

2007 ◽  
Vol 18-19 ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Senthil Kumaran ◽  
K.R. Santhi ◽  
P.M.Rubesh Anand
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Main Interest ◽  
The Real ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Augmented Reality Technology

The ability to view constructions virtually before using the real resources to construct them has been of main interest in civil engineering over a long period of time. This has been achieved partially through virtual reality. Virtual Reality helps in visualizing the operations on computer generated jobsites and to study the available alternate plans. Even though the latest software in virtual reality helps us in designing and drawing the plans, the question of reality still arises. The plans that are done in computer sometimes do not match with the real practical applications. This shows that it is difficult to bring the experiences of practical world into the computer. In order to overcome the gap between the real and virtual environments, this paper highlights the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in all the areas of civil engineering instead of using Virtual Reality. This paper describes the developing augmented reality technology and its various application domains in civil engineering.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document