Can perception be extended to a “feel of north”? Tests of automaticity with the NaviEar
Can perception be extended to a “feel of north”? Tests of automaticity with the NaviEar
This study investigated the potential for the development of novel perceptual experiences through sustained training with a sensory augmentation device. We developed (1) a new geomagnetic sensory augmentation device, the NaviEar, and (2) a battery of tests for automaticity in the use of the device. The NaviEar translates head direction toward north into continuous sound according to a “wind coding” principle. To facilitate automatization of use, its design is informed by considerations of the embodiment of spatial orientation and multi-sensory integration, and it uses a sensory coding scheme derived from means for auditory perception of wind direction that is common in sailing because it is easy to understand and use. The test battery assesses different effects of automaticity (interference, rigidity of responses, and dynamic integration) assuming that automaticity is a necessary criterion to show the emergence of perceptual feel, that is, an augmented experience with perceptual phenomenal quality. We measured performance in simple training tasks, administered the tests for automaticity, and assessed subjective reports through a questionnaire. Results suggest that the NaviEar is easy and comfortable to use and has a potential for applications in real-world situations. Despite high usability, however, a 5-day training with the NaviEar did not reach levels of automaticity that are indicative of perceptual feel. We propose that the test battery for automaticity may be used as a benchmark test for iterative research on perceptual experiences in sensory augmentation and sensory substitution.
Automaticity, learning, perceptual feel, sensorimotor theory, sensory augmentation, sensory substitution
Witzel, Christoph
dfb994f1-7007-441a-9e1a-ddb167f44166
Lübbert, Annika
e2c88e11-c19b-41bb-b9e9-281190461b4b
O'Regan, J. Kevin
dc7ea6aa-400e-46d0-84da-5465eba07e74
Hanneton, Sylvain
c6c4a152-3c62-46a2-a157-cfd7574c9503
Schumann, Frank
0d7d1841-860a-479d-b957-aea0d3ef59eb
9 November 2022
Witzel, Christoph
dfb994f1-7007-441a-9e1a-ddb167f44166
Lübbert, Annika
e2c88e11-c19b-41bb-b9e9-281190461b4b
O'Regan, J. Kevin
dc7ea6aa-400e-46d0-84da-5465eba07e74
Hanneton, Sylvain
c6c4a152-3c62-46a2-a157-cfd7574c9503
Schumann, Frank
0d7d1841-860a-479d-b957-aea0d3ef59eb
Witzel, Christoph, Lübbert, Annika, O'Regan, J. Kevin, Hanneton, Sylvain and Schumann, Frank
(2022)
Can perception be extended to a “feel of north”? Tests of automaticity with the NaviEar.
Adaptive Behavior, [10597123221130235].
(doi:10.1177/10597123221130235).
Abstract
This study investigated the potential for the development of novel perceptual experiences through sustained training with a sensory augmentation device. We developed (1) a new geomagnetic sensory augmentation device, the NaviEar, and (2) a battery of tests for automaticity in the use of the device. The NaviEar translates head direction toward north into continuous sound according to a “wind coding” principle. To facilitate automatization of use, its design is informed by considerations of the embodiment of spatial orientation and multi-sensory integration, and it uses a sensory coding scheme derived from means for auditory perception of wind direction that is common in sailing because it is easy to understand and use. The test battery assesses different effects of automaticity (interference, rigidity of responses, and dynamic integration) assuming that automaticity is a necessary criterion to show the emergence of perceptual feel, that is, an augmented experience with perceptual phenomenal quality. We measured performance in simple training tasks, administered the tests for automaticity, and assessed subjective reports through a questionnaire. Results suggest that the NaviEar is easy and comfortable to use and has a potential for applications in real-world situations. Despite high usability, however, a 5-day training with the NaviEar did not reach levels of automaticity that are indicative of perceptual feel. We propose that the test battery for automaticity may be used as a benchmark test for iterative research on perceptual experiences in sensory augmentation and sensory substitution.
Text
10597123221130235
- Version of Record
More information
e-pub ahead of print date: 9 November 2022
Published date: 9 November 2022
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was supported by ERC Advanced Grant “FEEL” (H2020 European Research Council), number 323674 to J. Kevin O’Regan and in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - number 395696283 to Frank Schumann and by FrontCog grant ANR-17-EURE-0017.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.
Keywords:
Automaticity, learning, perceptual feel, sensorimotor theory, sensory augmentation, sensory substitution
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 472447
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/472447
ISSN: 1741-2633
PURE UUID: d06c3e12-3a56-43ec-9b83-ec350ab67bc4
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 05 Dec 2022 18:09
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:00
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Annika Lübbert
Author:
J. Kevin O'Regan
Author:
Sylvain Hanneton
Author:
Frank Schumann
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
