Computing is increasingly distributed and situated in the physical spaces around us, no longer bound to two-dimensional screens. Wearable devices, such as virtual reality (VR) headsets and AI-powered augmented reality (AR) glasses, can not only present digital information at any time and within the real-world context, but also intercept and override our sensory channels (e.g., visual, auditory, and tactile). This era of spatial computing offers new opportunities, from realistic multisensory experiences to interactions that go beyond mimicking reality, extend our abilities, and augment our intelligence in situ. However, perceptual manipulations pose a multitude of risks that require careful consideration.

This talk first presents work on VR illusions that leverage the limits of human perception to simulate the sensation of touch despite hardware limitations, including the position accuracy of drones and resolution of shape displays when used as encountered-type haptic devices. It then presents a framework through the lens of sensorimotor control theory for the exploration and evaluation of “beyond-real” AR/VR interactions that lead to incongruent sensory stimuli, drawing on our understanding of human sensory integration and adaptation. This talk concludes by discussing the important implications of perceptual manipulations, focusing on asymmetries in perceived realities, security and safety risks, and privacy concerns for users and bystanders.

Bio:

Parastoo Abtahi joined Princeton as an assistant professor in 2023. Her research in human-computer interaction focuses on augmented reality and spatial computing. She leads Princeton’s Situated Interactions Lab (Ψ Lab) as part of the Princeton HCI Group.

Prior to joining Princeton, Abtahi was a visiting research scientist at Meta Reality Labs Research. She received her doctoral degree in Computer Science from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto, as part of the Engineering Science program.

In-person attendance is open to Princeton University faculty, staff and students. The webinar is open to the public and available here.

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