Effects of stereo viewing conditions on distance perception in virtual environments

Several studies from different research groups investigating perception of absolute, egocentric distances in virtual environments have reported a compression of the intended size of the virtual space. One potential explanation for the compression is that inaccuracies and cue confliicts involving stereo viewing conditions in head-mounted displays result in an inaccurate absolute scaling of the virtual world. We manipulate stereo viewing conditions in a head-mounted display and show the effects of using both measured and fixed interpupilary distances, as well as bi-ocular and monocular viewing of graphics, on absolute distance judgments. Our results indicate that the limitations on the presentation of stereo imagery that are inherent in head-mounted displays are likely not the source of distance compression reported in previous virtual environment studies.