Virtual Depth Perception
Virtual Depth Perception - Eric Klein, Oliver Staadt, J. Edward Swan, Greg Schmidt, Mark Livingston

In this ongoing study, we compare distance perception in a real outdoor environment with a virtual model of the same environment using the CAVE and the 12-projector display wall in the UC Davis Virtual Reality Lab. We present a target object at various distances to a subject and measure distance perception using three different techniques: verbal estimates, estimated walking time, and triangulated walking.

For verbal estimates, we ask the subject to report the perceived distance to the target. For estimated walking time, we ask the subject to look at the target, then close her eyes an imagine to walk to the target without actually moving and take the time of the “imagined walk.” For triangulated walking, we ask the subject to look at the target, then turn right 90 degrees, close her eyes, walk a certain distance, and point to the perceived position of the target with eyes still closed. Based on the results from these three measurement techniques, we will be able to compare our results to previous studies.

We designed a new hybrid between-subject/within-subject protocol to counterbalance possible order effects. We expect that the analysis of our study will provide new insight in the human factors of large-scale immersive environments.

contact Oliver Staadt at staadt@cs.ucdavis.edu

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