DOCTORAL CANDIDATE
Min Ni

SUPERVISORS
Prof. Gilles Coppin
Ass. Prof. Étienne Peillard
Dr. Tim Chen

Augmented Reality, Extended Reality, HCI, Computer graphics, Perception, Spatial Design, Pseudo-haptic feedback

From Lab Experiments to Real-World Applications: The Effect of Light and Shadows on Perception in Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) enables the presentation of digital images, objects, and environments superimposed on the real world. However, due to technical limitations, rendering these digital elements with perfect realism remains challenging. Transparency, occlusion, luminance inconsistencies, and shadow defects can occur, posing significant obstacles.

Current research focuses on minimizing these discrepancies to match digital elements with real-world counterparts while measuring perceptual differences caused by these variations. Controlled studies are typically conducted in laboratory settings with carefully designed environments to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. However, in real-world applications, the background conditions, including variations in luminance, shadows, brightness, and color, can drastically influence the perceived quality and realism of AR content. Additionally, interacting with AR elements in dynamic environments requires a combination of perceptual and behavioral responses.

This project aims to bridge the gap between lab and real-world AR by first studying human perception and then developing targeted solutions.