Yesterday, for the first time, I experienced VR. It was so to speak Surreal. Me being the inquisitive nerd couldn't help but ponder "How does VR trick human perception ?". 10 years ago this would have been voodoo magic. Though I would be eight at that time hopefully safe from its effect. But this is 2021 and VR technology has evolved far beyond a spectacle.
Let's begin the first part of this article: Exploring how we perceive an image.
👀 How we perceive an image ❓
To simply put, Human eyes perceive images not as a whole but as parts. I found it quite difficult to wrap my head around the fact there are more dark spots in our eyes than light spots. Huh, now who would have thought our image perception is based on lack of light rather than its presence.
Therefore the stimulation aspect of VR might seem obvious at first glance. Place screens closer to the eye that depicts a scenario coded by the programmer. But the reality is much more complex. Like how do we use those 2-D screens to depict a 3-D environment?
Various factor's come into play while determining an object in 3-D space e.g convergence of both eyes upon a single object, the relative differences between the shape and size of the images on each retina, and other cues such as texture and constancy.
However, image formation is not the only contributing factor to tricking perception.
🔊 Enter the Word Of Sound ❗
Sound plays a key role in our immersion. How often then not do you react to things without visual input? (Many times, the question was rhetorical) Take the example of surround sound. This dimensional audio genre's make it like a person is whispering right next to you. The first time I heard such songs, I couldn't stop looking over my ear's hoping to find a Billie Eilish standing behind me.
Therefore the lack of sound then transcends us to an arena of ambiguity and a lot less organic connection. FPS gamers (like myself) feel much more inclined to play games with headphones connected. As it adds another layer of "gaming experience" and the fact you aren't sneaked upon while planting a bomb in CSGO.
The combined effect of image and sound stimulation then really in turn delude our senses. To an extent where studies are recounting the effects of induced emotions due to VR. This probably is less exciting if you understand the way neuroscience works. I don't therefore it is groundbreaking (😁 for me at least).
Signing Off ✌
Tricking Human perception falls to the greater question: How do we increase immersion. The simulation of perceptual paths is what adds the sense of presence. Perceptual paths are complicated. The individuality of these path doesn't help in creating the ultimate virtual presence. Understanding how people integrate information from their senses is crucial to the long-term success of VR because it isn’t solely visual.
Top comments (0)