Flexible Reality: Can Pseudo-Haptics Enhance Vibration Intensity Perception in Co-Located AR Interaction?

Abstract

Pseudo-haptics can leverage and substitute haptic perception with visual or auditory cues. While largely studied in Virtual Reality (VR), pseudo-haptics are under-explored in Augmented Reality (AR), due to embodiment and immersion challenges in direct co-located interaction. In this paper, we propose Flexible Reality, a conceptual approach to induce and extend haptic feedback intensity perception in co-located AR through pseudo-haptics. We conducted a user study (n=22) to compare the effects of View (VR vs. AR), Haptic Intensity, Visual Rendering and Intensity on vibration intensity perception, and demonstrate that pseudo-haptics enhance vibration intensity perception with a significant result for equivalence between AR and VR. Qualitative feedback shows that agency and self-causality (e.g. believing to be the source of the vibration) increases the interaction believability. Overall, Flexible Reality's concept demonstrates how reality can seamlessly be made flexible in co-located AR and highlights the importance of ethical considerations in futuristic AR scenarios, especially involving sensory illusions.