Distance Perception Research Articles

Enhancing Color Scales for Active Data Physicalizations

Data Physicalization is the area that investigates how physical objects can encode data through their physical (geometry and materials) and visual features. In the information visualization field, color plays a fundamental role in communicating and encoding data, and it is no different for data physicalization. However, in the real world, color perception can be influenced by the material that composes the data physicalization, the environment’s brightness, and the characteristics of the light-emitting device. Thus, this article presents a process to evaluate and select colors to compose color palettes (categorical, sequential, and divergent) for data physicalizations, considering the perceptual distance between the chosen colors and the brightness of the light-emitting device for evaluating the influence of neighboring colors. Additionally, users perform Information Visualization tasks (identification, comparison, maximums, minimums, etc.) with different color palettes of the industry and literature in a physical 3D bar chart composed of LED strips. The initial results showed better performance by participants using the proposed color scales in Information Visualization tasks than those using traditional digital color scales. Finally, the steps carried out culminated in the proposition of a pipeline for evaluating and creating color scales for data physicalization, considering the features of the light-emitting device and the material used in the data physicalization.

Transcriptomic responses to location learning by honeybee dancers are partly mirrored in the brains of dance-followers.

The waggle dances of honeybees are a strikingly complex form of animal communication that underlie the collective foraging behaviour of colonies. The mechanisms by which bees assess the locations of forage sites that they have visited for representation on the dancefloor are now well-understood, but few studies have considered the remarkable backward translation of such information into flight vectors by dance-followers. Here, we explore whether the gene expression patterns that are induced through individual learning about foraging locations are mirrored when bees learn about those same locations from their nest-mates. We first confirmed that the mushroom bodies of honeybee dancers show a specific transcriptomic response to learning about distance, and then showed that approximately 5% of those genes were also differentially expressed by bees that follow dances for the same foraging sites, but had never visited them. A subset of these genes were also differentially expressed when we manipulated distance perception through an optic flow paradigm, and responses to learning about target direction were also in part mirrored in the brains of dance followers. Our findings show a molecular footprint of the transfer of learnt information from one animal to another through this extraordinary communication system, highlighting the dynamic role of the genome in mediating even very short-term behavioural changes.

Interpersonal distance perception during the normalization of an pandemic situation: Effects of mask-wearing and vaccination.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-pandemicmeasures, including wearing a face mask and receiving vaccinations, on interpersonal distance (IPD) during the normalization stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual reality (VR) technology was used to simulate the experimental environment and a confederate in different conditions. Thirty-one participants were asked to approach the virtual confederate, who could exhibit three vaccination states and two mask-wearing conditions, actively and passively in both indoor and outdoor environments. ANOVA results showed that the participants kept a smaller IPD from the confederate wearing a face mask (IPD = 125.6 cm) than from the one without a face mask (IPD = 154.2 cm). The effects of vaccination states were significant, with the largest distance for an unvaccinated confederate (IPD = 182.3 cm) and the smallest distance for the confederate who had received a booster vaccine (IPD = 111.5 cm). Significant effects of environment were also found, with the participants maintaining a larger IPD in an outdoor environment (IPD = 143.4 cm) than in an indoor room (IPD = 136.4 cm). Additionally, the IPD collected when the participants were passively approached (IPD = 149.6 cm) was significantly larger than that obtained when they actively approached the confederate (IPD = 130.3 cm). Moreover, when the participants faced a confederate who had received a booster vaccine and wore a mask, the IPD was not significantly different from that collected before the COVID-19 pandemic in both the active and passive patterns. These findings help us to better understand the nature of IPD and human behaviors during the normalization stage of the pandemic and provide scientific suggestions for policymakers to develop pandemic-prevention measures.

“How Far Is the Closest Bus Stop?” An Evaluation of Self-Reported versus GIS-Computed Distance to the Bus among Older People and Factors Influencing Their Perception of Distance

Previous research showed that living closer to bus stops could be a factor in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. However, most of the studies relied on self-reported measures of distance, which might be affected by several confounders. In this study, self-reported distances among study participants were compared to actual ones, computed by the use of GIS (Geographic Information System) technology and routing algorithms. We tested whether distance to the bus stop is associated with health and socioeconomic conditions of the respondents, using data among 2398 older people (75–90 years) in three cities in Sweden. We found that several variables including older age, female gender, living alone, and worse health status are associated with an over-estimation of bus stop distance. People who use public transport daily or several times a week and are satisfied with the walking environment in the neighbourhood tend to underestimate bus stop distances. Evidence based on self-reported measures only should be treated cautiously. Considering the limitations still present in open-data-based routing algorithms, the best indication is to combine the subjective with the objective measure of distance. Having the possibility to combine the two measures appears as a sound strategy to overcome the limitations associated with each single measure.

The effect of patch distance, matrix type and experience on habitat perception and flight speed of two species of Heliconius butterflies

Abstract The perceptual range of an organism is the distance at which landscape elements are recognised by it. Estimates of this sensory trait are relevant to understand how organisms recognise suitable habitat within fragmented landscapes. We investigated how the nature of inhospitable environments (matrix) neighbouring a forest patch and adult experience (lab‐raised naïve vs. free‐flying experienced adults) affect the perceptual range and flight speed of the forest butterfly species Heliconius erato and Heliconius melpomene. In field experiments, butterflies were released at various distances from the edge of the habitat patch. Flight orientation and speed were evaluated. In one experiment, wild‐caught individuals of H. erato and H. melpomene were released in two matrix types, a coconut plantation and an open field. In a subsequent experiment, lab‐raised naïve H. erato was released at the same site. Release distance was the best predictor of butterfly behaviour for the two species. Individuals released up to 60 m successfully oriented towards the habitat patch, indicating a perceptual range below 100 m. Flight speed was higher the closer a butterfly was released to the edge. Matrix type did not affect butterfly orientation within its perceptual range distance. We did not find a significant effect of experience on butterfly orientation. Our study shows that the perceptual distance of Heliconius is within the range of known estimates from other butterfly species. Within this range, and irrespective of matrix type and experience, individuals were capable of orienting towards their preferred habitat and at flight speeds that were related to the distance of release.

Effects of connected automated vehicle on stability and energy consumption of heterogeneous traffic flow system

With the development of intelligent and interconnected traffic system, a convergence of traffic stream is anticipated in the foreseeable future, where both connected automated vehicle (CAV) and human driven vehicle (HDV) will coexist. In order to examine the effect of CAV on the overall stability and energy consumption of such a heterogeneous traffic system, we first take into account the interrelated perception of distance and speed by CAV to establish a macroscopic dynamic model through utilizing the full velocity difference (FVD) model. Subsequently, adopting the linear stability theory, we propose the linear stability condition for the model through using the small perturbation method, and the validity of the heterogeneous model is verified by comparing with the FVD model. Through nonlinear theoretical analysis, we further derive the KdV-Burgers equation, which captures the propagation characteristics of traffic density waves. Finally, by numerical simulation experiments through utilizing a macroscopic model of heterogeneous traffic flow, the effect of CAV permeability on the stability of density wave in heterogeneous traffic flow and the energy consumption of the traffic system is investigated. Subsequent analysis reveals emergent traffic phenomena. The experimental findings demonstrate that as CAV permeability increases, the ability to dampen the propagation of fluctuations in heterogeneous traffic flow gradually intensifies when giving system perturbation, leading to enhanced stability of the traffic system. Furthermore, higher initial traffic density renders the traffic system more susceptible to congestion, resulting in local clustering effect and stop-and-go traffic phenomenon. Remarkably, the total energy consumption of the heterogeneous traffic system exhibits a gradual decline with CAV permeability increasing. Further evidence has demonstrated the positive influence of CAV on heterogeneous traffic flow. This research contributes to providing theoretical guidance for future CAV applications, aiming to enhance urban road traffic efficiency and alleviate congestion.

The role of prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction in interpersonal comfort and emotional approach

Our perception of physical distance to individuals and stimuli is influenced by our mental distance and relatedness. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) in interpersonal comfortable distance and approach behaviors towards emotional stimuli. Twenty healthy volunteers received brain stimulation in four separate sessions with a one-week interval, including anodal left dlPFC, anodal right vmPFC, anodal rTPJ, and sham condition, with an extracranial return electrode. Our results revealed an increase in interpersonal distance during anodal rTPJ stimulation and a decrease in distance to positive pictures during anodal vmPFC stimulation. These findings suggest that the rTPJ plays a role in the perceptual component of self-other distancing, while the vmPFC is involved in approaching positive emotions.

Distance Perception in Virtual Reality: A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Head-Mounted Display Characteristics.

Distances are commonly underperceived in virtual reality (VR), and this finding has been documented repeatedly over more than two decades of research. Yet, there is evidence that perceived distance is more accurate in modern compared to older head-mounted displays (HMDs). This meta-analysis, based on 137 samples from 61 publications, describes egocentric distance perception across 20 HMDs and examines the relationship between perceived distance and technical HMD characteristics. Judged distance was positively associated with HMD field of view (FOV), positively associated with HMD resolution, and negatively associated with HMD weight. The effects of FOV and resolution were more pronounced among heavier HMDs. These findings suggest that future improvements in these technical characteristics may be central to resolving the problem of distance underperception in VR.

Subjective evaluation of source distance in dynamic 2.5D local sound field synthesis

Many loudspeakers are required to reproduce the immersive and physically-accurate sound field up to high frequency. Especially, at high frequency, a limited number of loudspeakers degrade the reproduction accuracy because of spatial Nyquist frequency. When use the same number of loudspeakers, reducing the extent of the reproduction region can improve the reproduction accuracy. However, by narrowing the reproduction region, the extent of movement for the listener is reduced. In our previous studies, we proposed the dynamic reproduction system of local sound field by moving the reproduction region to the listener's current position. Using a limited number of loudspeakers, the proposed system achieved the sound reproduction with high accuracy allowing the freedom of listener movement. In this study, we conduct the subjective evaluation of the dynamic 2.5D local sound field synthesis for sound source distance. Especially, we investigate the distance perception by allowing listeners to move around freely.

Transfer of Recalibration in Perceiving Surface Distance With a Haptic Sensory Substitution Device

Studies have shown that, to a large extent, performance of a given perceptual task is independent of the specific sensitivities of the anatomical components used to perform that task. Consequently, the object of calibration—what it is that people become calibrated to when performing a given perceptual task—may be likewise independent of the specific sensitivities of the anatomical components used to perform that task. The experiment reported here used a transfer of calibration paradigm to investigate this hypothesis as well as the more specific hypothesis that the object of calibration is independent of the sensitivity of a given anatomical component to the particulars of a given energy form. In a pretest and posttest, participants perceived the distance of an occluded surface by two different modalities—by exploring that surface with a wooden rod and by doing so with and Enactive Torch, a vibrotactile sensory-substitution device. In a practice session, we manipulated which modality participants used to perform this task (Rod or Enactive Torch) and whether feedback about performance was provided. We found that, when feedback was provided during the practice session, recalibration of perception of surface distance transferred from the rod to the Enactive Torch, and vice versa. This pattern of results is consistent with the hypothesis that the object of calibration in this perceptual task is (potentially) independent of the particular form of mechanical energy generated when exploring the surface.

Stationary Haptic Stimuli Do not Produce Ocular Accommodation in Most Individuals.

This study aimed to determine the extent to which haptic stimuli can influence ocular accommodation, either alone or in combination with vision. Accommodation was measured objectively in 15 young adults as they read stationary targets containing Braille letters. These cards were presented at four distances in the range 20-50cm. In the Touch condition, the participant read by touch with their dominant hand in a dark room. Afterward, they estimated card distance with their non-dominant hand. In the Vision condition, they read by sight binocularly without touch in a lighted room. In the Touch with Vision condition, they read by sight binocularly and with touch in a lighted room. Sensory modality had a significant overall effect on the slope of the accommodative stimulus-response function. The slope in the Touch condition was not significantly different from zero, even though depth perception from touch was accurate. Nevertheless, one atypical participant had a moderate accommodative slope in the Touch condition. The accommodative slope in the Touch condition was significantly poorer than in the Vision condition. The accommodative slopes in the Vision condition and Touch with Vision condition were not significantly different. For most individuals, haptic stimuli for stationary objects do not influence the accommodation response, alone or in combination with vision. These haptic stimuli provide accurate distance perception, thus questioning the general validity of Heath's model of proximal accommodation as driven by perceived distance. Instead, proximally induced accommodation relies on visual rather than touch stimuli.

“I couldn’t see my friends; the internet was bad, and I hardly went out” – insights into children’s and adolescents’ experiences of COVID-19 in Germany

ABSTRACT Purpose We explored children’s experiences of COVID-19 in terms of proximity and distance to significant others. Methods Our qualitative study with children in Germany (6–15 years of age) explored their views and experiences of COVID-19 times via drawings and face-to-face semi-structured interviews (n = 13). We analysed data thematically and used the socio-ecological model as the theoretical underpinning. Case studies contextualized how children dealt with the COVID-19 precautions. Results Salient motives in children’s drawings were school scenarios showing distance-keeping and mask-wearing as an expression of interpersonal distance; in the home-schooling context, loneliness was highlighted. Drawings also illustrated the impact of COVID-19 in terms of separation, illness and death. A dynamic perception of proximity and distance emerged from drawings and interviews. COVID-19 barred children from spending “real” time together with close friends. Bridging physical distance virtually was easier for adolescents than for children. Conclusion To bolster children’s mental and social resilience in future epidemics, participants’ plea for maintaining social and physical interactions with significant others and for keeping schools open should be heeded by policy-makers. Our study also highlights the benefits of conducting direct research with children and using non-verbal methods of data collection.

Integral Imaging Display System Based on Human Visual Distance Perception Model

In an integral imaging (II) display system, the self-adjustment ability of the human eye can result in blurry observations when viewing 3D targets outside the focal plane within a specific range. This can impact the overall imaging quality of the II system. This research examines the visual characteristics of the human eye and analyzes the path of light from a point source to the eye in the process of capturing and reconstructing the light field. Then, an overall depth of field (DOF) model of II is derived based on the human visual system (HVS). On this basis, an II system based on the human visual distance (HVD) perception model is proposed, and an interactive II display system is constructed. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. The display system improves the viewing distance range, enhances spatial resolution and provides better stereoscopic display effects. When comparing our method with three other methods, it is clear that our approach produces better results in optical experiments and objective evaluations: the cumulative probability of blur detection (CPBD) value is 38.73%, the structural similarity index (SSIM) value is 86.56%, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) value is 31.12. These values align with subjective evaluations based on the characteristics of the human visual system.

A mixed traffic car-following behavior model

With the advancement of communication and autonomous driving technologies, a mixed traffic flow comprising human-driven vehicles (HVs), connected human-driven vehicles (CHVs), and connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) is emerging. In this paper, we propose a generalized car-following model for mixed traffic flow, which considers both the human drivers’ characteristics (i.e., perception ability of distance, acceleration, and speed, trust level in connected vehicle information, and driving style) and information from multiple leading connected vehicles (CVs). Through numerical experiments, we analyze the influences of mixed traffic flow composition schemes, communication distance, and human drivers’ characteristics on mixed traffic flow. The results show that the proposed model can effectively capture the car-following behavior of different types of vehicles in mixed traffic flow. The contribution of CHVs to mixed traffic flow stability is significantly less than that of CAVs due to the involvement of human drivers’ characteristics. Human drivers’ characteristics significantly influence average fuel consumption (FC) within mixed traffic flow. Specifically, inaccurate perception of distance by human drivers can lead to an increase in the average FC, while a higher level of trust in connected information leads to lower average FC. Furthermore, the results reveal that the communication distance between CVs plays a pivotal role in the stability of mixed traffic flow.

Reducing Perceived Transactional Distance in Distance Education: The Impact of the Chatbot

This study investigates the impact of utilizing a chatbot named 'YakınDost' on the perceptions of transactional distance among distance education students. Transactional distance, which involves communication and interaction between students and instructional personnel, is a critical aspect of distance education. To address this, chatbots are increasingly being employed as tools to facilitate engagement. Developed using IBM Watson Assistant, 'YakınDost' serves as a conversational agent to address common inquiries related to courses, assignments, instructors, exams, and technical matters. The primary objective of this research is to assess how the integration of the 'YakınDost' chatbot influences students' perceptions of transactional distance. To achieve this, the 'Transactional Distance Perception Scale' was administered at the outset and conclusion of the fall semester to first-year students at a state university. Additionally, during the mid-semester, students were introduced to the YakınDost chatbot and were invited to participate in the 'Chatbot Usability Scale.' Out of 2000 students, the data analysis focused on 583 students who completed both pre-test and post-test surveys, among which 398 students interacted with the chatbot. The findings highlight a significant reduction in students' perceptions of transactional distance due to the implementation of the YakınDost chatbot.

The contributions of level and near-field head-related transfer functions cues on auditory distance perception in a free field

In a free field, distance-dependent level (or loudness) and near-field HRTF (head-related transfer functions) are considered to be two primary cues for auditory distance perception. However, some recent experiments using virtual auditory display (VAD) have exhibited inconsistent or even controversial results, especially regarding with the contribution of near-field HRTF cues to distance perception. Possible reasons for the inconsistency may be that static VAD with coarse approximation of near-field HRTFs were used in these experiments, which cause poor perception of externalization and error in HRTF-related cues. To address this problem, a set of psychoacoustic experiment using dynamic VAD with accurate near-field HRTFs is conducted in present work. The perceived distances of virtual source at target distance less than 1.0 m and with or without level normalization are evaluated. The results indicate that HRTF cue alone enable distance perception in the lateral region. In contrast, HRTF cue alone is insufficient for distance perception in the front region. A collaboration of HRTF and level cue enhances distance perception in all directions. Therefore, the present experiment yields results similar to previous experiment using real source and validate the contribution of level and near-field HRTF cues to distance perception.

Psychological Distance in Climate Change: The Role of Climate Change Denial, Contact with Nature and Political Opinion

This study was designed to investigate the psychological distance perception of Turkish people and the role of their political views on climate change. Descriptive data were obtained on different aspects of psychological distance such as temporal, social, geographical and uncertainty. The study also evaluated the relationship between contact with nature through climate change and climate denial. The research is a descriptive study. Climate change denial scale and nature contact scales were used to measure the levels of climate change denial and contact with nature. Data were collected online from 123 people living in different geographical regions of Turkey. Group comparison findings based on individuals' assessments of their political views (left/right) are consistent with the literature. Significant differences in denial of climate change were observed among groups separated by political views. In addition, a significant relationship was found between age and denial of climate change. Our findings are important in terms of revealing some social and cognitive factors in the perception of the climate change problem in our country and helping to develop more effective strategies in combating climate change.

An Indoor Tags Position Perception Method Based on GWO–MLP Algorithm for RFID Robot

This paper proposes a tag position perception method for scenarios such as package retrieval in unmanned warehouses and book management in libraries. This method can accurately predict the distribution of tag space positions in real–time during RFID robot inventory. Firstly, the signal strength (RSSI) and speed of identification (SoI) are used as features. The grey wolf optimization multi–layer perceptron neural network model (GWO–MLP) is employed to predict the distance of tag groups. Secondly, a tag orientation prediction algorithm is designed to estimate the orientation of the tag groups. Finally, the periodicity of the phase is determined by the characteristic of RSSI attenuation as the tag–to–antenna distance increases, solving the problem of position ambiguity caused by phase periodicity. The experiment has shown that this method achieves a high accuracy rate of 96.67% and 97% in predicting the distance and orientation of tag groups, respectively. The average error in distance perception for the single tag is less than 3 cm, enabling precise perception of RFID tag positions. This method facilitates more efficient operation management and accurate item traceability.

The negative effect of service robots’ affective human-likeness on consumer satisfaction in frontline service encounters

Although companies have widely deployed service robots with affective human-likeness, scant attention has been paid to their negative effects on consumer satisfaction. We adopt a consumer–robot relationship perspective to investigate the mechanism and boundary conditions of the negative influence of affective human-likeness on consumer satisfaction. We suggest that service robots with affective human-likeness may violate consumer–robot relationship norms, making consumers feel social discomfort, thereby negatively affecting their satisfaction. Study 1 shows that a high degree of affective human-likeness negatively affects consumer satisfaction by causing social discomfort. Study 2 finds that consumer power which affects the perception of social distance, can be the boundary condition for previous negative effects. This research makes contributes to the literature on service robot anthropomorphism, consumer–robot relationships, and consumer power in artificial intelligence marketing and can guide service robots’ anthropomorphic use.

Assessment of stimulus distance during driving

We make about 1,400 decisions in one hour of the day, which makes about 35,000 decisions in 24 hours. The driver's task in traffic is to assess traffic situations and act in accordance with their decisions in traffic. One of the most common causes of traffic accidents is "misjudgment of road users". The perception of space is one of the prerequisites for safe and successful driving. In order to investigate the mentioned issue, the authors of this paper conducted an experimental study with the aim of determining what affects the perception of the distance to the object. 164 respondents participated in the experiment. The research results show statistically significant differences in the perception of distance to objects of different colors. The respondents with the smallest error estimate the distance to the red object better, in the conditions when the driver sits in the driver's seat and observes the object through the camera in the vehicle (hereinafter via the camera), while the respondents in the situation when the driver sits and observes the object in the rearview mirror (hereinafter to the text by looking in the rearview mirror) and in the situation when the driver is sitting and looking at objects over his shoulder (direct observation) estimated the distance to the yellow object with the smallest error. Respondents with the highest error estimate the distance to the blue and green objects.