Manuela Chessa: Cognitive and Perceptual Aspects of Interaction in VR and AR Systems

Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) systems are designed to immerse humans into rich and compelling simulated environments by leveraging our perceptual systems (i.e. vision, touch, sound). In turn, exposure to AR/VR can reshape and alter our perceptual processing by tapping into the brain’s significant ability to adapt to changes in the environment through neural plasticity. Therefore, to design successful AR/VR systems, we must first understand the functioning and limitations of our perceptual and cognitive systems. We can then tailor AR/VR technology to optimally stimulate our senses and maximize user experience. Understanding how to wield AR/VR tools to reshape how we perceive the world also has incredible potential for societal and clinical applications. By attending this tutorial, attendees will learn how to employ our current understanding of human perception to design more sophisticated and ecological AR/VR systems that optimize user experience and minimize or even eliminate the undesired side effects.

A talk from the Creator Track at AWE EU 2019 - the World's #1 XR Conference & Expo in Munich, Germany October 17-18, 2019