When : Jan. 14, 2020 10:00 am
Where : Inria Sophia Antipolis – Méditerranée, room Byron beige
Speaker : Dr. Manuela Chessa (University of Genoa, Italy)
Title : Visual perception and ecological interaction in Virtual and Augmented Reality
Abstract : Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) systems are designed to immerse humans into rich and compelling simulated environments by leveraging our perceptual system (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. In this talk, I will cope with some of the aspects we should take into account in order to devise effective AR/VR systems, in which people can interact in an ecological way. In particular, I will discuss the perceptual aspects of such interaction and the user experience (UX) factors. Moreover, I will address the Computer Vision issues we should address in order to devise effective and stable AR/VR systems, in particular features extraction, depth sensing, tracking and multi-sensor integration. Finally, I will present some use cases, their use and user evaluation.
Bio: Manuela Chessa is Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Dept. of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering of the University of Genoa, Italy. Her research interests are focused on the development of natural human-machine interfaces based on virtual, augmented and mixed reality, on the perceptual and cognitive aspects of interaction in VR and AR, on the development of bioinspired neural models, and on the study of biological and artificial vision systems. She studies the use of novel sensing and 3D tracking technologies and of visualization devices (e.g. 3D monitors and projectors, head-mounted-displays, video see-through and optical see- through devices) to develop natural and ecological interaction systems, always having in mind the human perception. In particular, she is active in studying misperception issues, visual stress and fatigue that arise by using such systems. She is the Program Co-chair of the HUCAPP International Conference on Human Computer Interaction Theory and Applications. She is the organizer of the Tutorial “Cognitive Aspects of Interaction in Virtual and Augmented Reality Systems” (CAIVARS) at ISMAR2018. She has been the lecturer of several tutorials, and she participated in several EU and National (Italian) Projects. She is author of more than 60 papers in international book chapters, journals and conference proceedings, and co-inventor of 3 patents.
