05

Perception of height

Insight

Why do we feel fear even though we know we are standing on solid ground?


In VR, visual and sensory inputs can deceive the brain into thinking it is in a high or perilous environment, triggering a fear response despite logically understanding that it's safe. We may feel fear even though we are aware that we are standing on the ground because of the brain's response to perceived danger.


Our brain receives information through our eyes. It allows us to recognize danger. This is a result of our training and human instincts. It doesn’t matter whether the danger is perceived in the physical world or through a VR headset; it can trigger our instincts even if we know we are on safe ground.

Deliverables

Konzept

Development (Unity)

UX Testing

Modeling

Industry

VR

Location

DE Muc

Year

2024

Insight

Why do we feel fear even though we know we are standing on solid ground?


In VR, visual and sensory inputs can deceive the brain into thinking it is in a high or perilous environment, triggering a fear response despite logically understanding that it's safe. We may feel fear even though we are aware that we are standing on the ground because of the brain's response to perceived danger.


Our brain receives information through our eyes. It allows us to recognize danger. This is a result of our training and human instincts. It doesn’t matter whether the danger is perceived in the physical world or through a VR headset; it can trigger our instincts even if we know we are on safe ground.

Deliverables

Konzept

Development (Unity)

UX Testing

Modeling

Industry

VR

Location

DE Muc

Year

2024

Override logical knowledge

This is how people reacted to the VR experience: Witnessing genuine hesitation and visceral fear as their brains responded to the perceived danger, proving that visual immersion can powerfully override logical knowledge of safety.

Why is that?

To evoke this feeling in VR i developed an app. It showcases what is crucial to perceive  height in VR. First, you need to construct a realistic world For that several elements are essential: 

  • Use terrain that the human brain is familiar with.

  • Equip it with appealing textures for the eye to recognize the scale.

  • It is also beneficial to add objects near the user and in the distance, such as trees, to create a sense of depth.

  • The eye perceives height through our training in childhood, ‘if there is an abyss, I must stay back because I can fall.’

Surroundings

Secondly you need to connect the user with the world. Therefore add the following:

  • A virtual floor/platform the user can stand on – otherwise, it feels like being in a movie.

  • The user has to walk in the physical world for a realistic sensation – to move with controllers disconnects from the human’s natural instincts.

  • Adding a barrier in front of the abyss to makes the user feel secure –