A Study of Spatial Perception in Virtual Space via Display and the Intervention Effects of Haptic Feedback

In recent years, technologies for presenting users with virtual spaces have been rapidly developing. Some applications allow users to observe three-dimensional spaces via screens and influence those virtual spaces using certain devices. In such cases, it is necessary not only to rely on the presentation of depth information but also to adapt to depth in the virtual space to completely execute tasks. In this study, we investigated the spatial perception characteristics of commonly used two-dimensional (2D) displays and advanced spatial reality (SR) displays with spatial presentation capabilities. The research participants performed tasks of tracing a trajectory on a wall surface that changes angles in a three-dimensional virtual space. In addition, we examined the effect of haptic feedback intervention on spatial perception during task execution and its persistence. For 2D displays, we realized that haptic feedback improves task accuracy and that the effect persists even after the feedback is removed. However, this applied only to tasks under feedback conditions, and no broad effect on spatial perception was observed. By contrast, for SR displays, we realized that haptic feedback may have a detrimental effect on spatial perception. Moreover, we quantitatively proved that the use of SR displays improves spatial perception accuracy compared with 2D displays and that the relationship between the line of sight and display angle is critical for spatial perception. In conclusion, the following two points are inferred from this study. (1) To improve spatial perception, it is necessary to consider methods that directly intervene in the body schema and the peripersonal space in the future. (2) Feedback by multiple modalities is not necessarily effective in presenting information on virtual space and obtaining spatial perception.