From Pixels to Perception: The Interplay Between Real and Virtual Human Experiences

The book delves into two key aspects of the interaction between real and virtual humans. First, it examines the intricate dynamics of human perception in relation to virtual human representation, beginning with an exploration of the Uncanny Valley (UV) theory to understand why certain virtual humans evoke discomfort or a sense of strangeness in users. It also addresses how human biases influence these perceptions, offering a deeper understanding of the subjective factors at play. The book introduces innovative methods to investigate this phenomenon, correlating objective image characteristics, such as Hu Moments and Histogram Oriented Gradient (HOG), with subjective feelings of discomfort. The second aspect of the book shifts focus to the perspective of virtual humans, discussing how they perceive the virtual world and the importance of gaze behavior in creating believable characters. By integrating insights from neuroscience with data-driven models, the book illustrates how animated gaze and virtual human perception can enhance user interaction with virtual environments. Bringing together both sides of perception, this comprehensive analysis reveals how these dynamics impact the user experience with technology.