Perceptual Issues of Augmented and Virtual Environments

Abstract

For a sensible application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Environments (VE) it is necessary to include basic human information processing resources and characteristics. Because there is no fully functional model of human perceptual, cognitive, and motor behavior, this requires empirical analyses. Moreover, these analyses are often based on subjective ratings rather than objective measures. With regard to perception as the basic sensation of synthetic environments, each modality should be analyzed separately. There are special limits of human perception which limit the transfer of information of might even lead to unwanted negative effects or after-effects when not taken into consideration. One example for this is long exposition times and emotional inclusion of the user. They may even cause a user's isolation from the "real" daily life. In addition to a purely short-term, technological sight, it is necessary to evaluate the application of AR and VE in terms of its psychological and sociological impact.