Research into spatial awareness and its role in human interaction exploring how humans perceive, interact with, and navigate both physical and digital environments. Additionally, how spatial computing plays a fundamental role in creating immersive experiences, bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds to enhance intuitive interaction.
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Spatial Awareness, interaction & spatial computing
Spatial Awareness
We have the ability to see and understand the world around us and understand the relationship between various shapes & relatable spaces. We consistently move through and interact with environments everyday and we do so fluidly without colliding with objects or fellow humans because we obtain something called **spatial awareness**. It allows us to be conscious of our physical environment along with the things within it and that understanding then allows us to further understand our relatable position to them. [1 ] |[2]
Harnessing this knowledge allows us to depict our travel through environments by visually recognising where things are. For example; imagine walking through a park and you notice someone is sat eating their lunch on a bench. You’ll understand that you will need to traverse around them as opposed to through them. You will immediately understand the space and plot your route around the obstacle. This information also allows us to understand social interaction in that we see the person sat on the bench and can immediately see how close we get before invading their personal space. This achieved more broadly because Spatial awareness also mediates social interactions by regulating personal space and group coordination. In crowded settings, individuals subconsciously use proprioceptive cues to maintain interpersonal distance, avoiding collisions while fostering communication. This is generally achieved with the strategic placement of objects, partitions, and visual landmarks to guide movement and interaction, reflecting an implicit understanding of human spatial cognition. [3] [4]
To look a little deeper, spatial awareness is fundamentally rooted in the brain processes underlying depth perception, distance estimation, and mental visualisation. These three capabilities form an integrated neural framework that allows humans to construct and interact with a coherent three-dimensional representation of space. Depth perception refers to the ability to perceive the distance between objects in a physical/3D space. It allows humans to distinguish near and far objects, judge their relative positions, and interact with them accurately. Distance estimation refers to the ability to gauge how far an object or point is relative to us or other objects. It is crucial for accurate movement, object interaction, and navigation in both real and virtual environments. Mental visualisation is the cognitive ability to create, manipulate, and understand spatial relationships in the mind. It helps humans predict how objects will move, fit into a space, or change perspective. Mental visualisation is key for tasks like problem-solving, spatial navigation, and planning interactions within environments.
Humans experience both veridical (accurate) and nonveridical (distorted) perceptions of space. Veridical perception allows individuals to navigate effectively by providing a reliable understanding of their environment, while nonveridical perceptions can sometimes enhance clarity by filtering overwhelming sensory data. Both Veridical and nonveridical perceptions are fundamental concepts in understanding how humans experience and interpret the world around them.
Veridical perception occurs when an individual's sensory experience accurately reflects the external world. For example; seeing a tree and correctly identifying it as a tree is an example of veridical perception. This type of perception is often linked to the idea that the objects we experience exist independently of our minds, reinforcing the notion that our senses provide a direct and accurate representation of reality. This aligns with nieve realism, which suggests that what we perceive is not just a mental construct but a true reflection of the world around us. Veridical perceptions are characterised by their accuracy, providing reliable information about the environment. They hold significant epistemic value, as they often serve as a foundation for knowledge, justified through direct sensory experience. Common examples include perceiving an object as it truly is, such as recognising a red apple when it is indeed red, demonstrating how our senses align with reality to form a trustworthy understanding of the world around us. [5]
Nonveridical perception refers to experiences that do not accurately reflect reality. This includes illusions, hallucinations, and other perceptual phenomena where what is perceived does not correspond to an actual object or event in the environment. For example, seeing a mirage or experiencing a colour that isn't present in an object are forms of nonveridical perception. Nonveridical perceptions, characterised by inaccuracy, can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the environment. Despite their lack of alignment with reality, they can still influence behavior and decision-making. For example, individuals with synesthesia may perceive colours associated with numbers or letters that are not actually present, yet these perceptions can shape their cognitive processes and actions. Nonveridical perceptions can be categorised into different types, including illusions, which involve misinterpretations of sensory input, such as perceiving straight lines as curved, and hallucinations, where individuals experience sensory phenomena that do not exist, such as hearing voices. [6] [7]
The interplay between these two types of perception can significantly impact cognition and behaviour. For instance, while veridical perceptions guide accurate interactions with the environment, nonveridical perceptions may still play a role in shaping behaviours, particularly in contexts like synesthesia or certain psychological conditions. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify how humans navigate their environments and make sense of their experiences, highlighting the complexity of perceptual processes.
Relationship with interaction
After understanding how we interpret environments it's time to look at interaction which is deeply connected to spatial awareness through embodied cognition, i.e. the way our brain processes sensory information, movement, and environmental feedback to guide behaviour. Spatial awareness helps us to understand our position relative to objects and boundaries, creating a mental map that allows for smooth and precise interactions. This process is largely managed by the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), which integrates visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular inputs to help us navigate and interact with our surroundings. For example, when reaching for a cup, the brain quickly calculates its distance, plans the arm’s movement, and adjusts grip strength, all happening within milliseconds. The dorsal visual stream helps translate what we see into useful information for movement, allowing us to coordinate our actions accurately. If this system is disrupted (like in optic ataxia, where damage to the parietal cortex makes it difficult to reach for objects) it shows how important spatial awareness is for smooth and precise interactions. [18] [19]
This relationship between spatial awareness and interaction also relies on what is called predictive coding, this is where the brain continuously updates its spatial model based on new sensory input. For example; When moving through a cluttered environment, the eyes (superior colliculus and frontal eye fields) and their movements scan for obstacles whilst the brain (Cerebellum) fine tunes the data to ensure we don't collide with objects. The brain optimises movement using something called Bayesian inference, combining prior knowledge (layout) with real-time feedback (foot position) to adjust actions accordingly. Interestingly, interaction itself strengthens spatial awareness, even non-visual interactions, such as navigating with a walking stick, can rewire the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that receives information from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints, improving spatial precision. This demonstrates how spatial awareness and interaction form a continuous feedback loop, each shaping and refining the other to enhance how we engage with the world around us. [15]
In conclusion spatial awareness serves as the linchpin of human interaction, shaping how we navigate physical spaces, engage with technology, and connect with others. As digital interfaces evolve toward immersive spatial computing, designers must prioritise alignment with innate cognitive processes to avoid disorientation and enhance usability. Future research should explore cross-cultural differences in spatial interaction and the long-term cognitive impacts of hybrid environments. By bridging neuroscience, design, and technology, we can cultivate spatial interfaces that enrich, rather than disrupt the human experience.
Relationship with Spatial Computing
Spatial awareness has become a cornerstone of modern technological interaction. As digital interfaces evolve beyond flat screens into immersive, context-aware systems, humans now engage with technology through spatial cognition, blending physical and virtual realms. This report examines how advancements in spatial computing, augmented reality (AR), and environmental sensing are redefining human-device interaction, creating intuitive interfaces that respond to body movements, environmental cues, and shared virtual spaces.
Spatial computing represents a paradigm shift from 2D screen based interactions to three-dimensional, environment-aware systems. Unlike traditional computing confined to monitors, spatial computing integrates AI-driven context recognition, 3D mapping, and proxemic interaction to create interfaces that adapt to the physical surroundings.
Current technologies such as the Meta Quest 3 and Apples Vision Pro exemplify this shift, using passthrough and depth sensors to anchor digital content within real-world geometry while maintaining spatial coherence. This technology allows devices to map room dimensions and object placements using LiDAR and photogrammetry, interpret gestures and eye movements as input commands, and maintain persistent digital objects that remain tied to specific physical locations. These capabilities transform spaces into interactive canvases where virtual elements coexist with physical ones, requiring humans to employ spatial reasoning skills traditionally used in navigation and object manipulation. [8] [9] [20]
Modern spatial systems employ reality capture techniques to construct 3D models of environments. LiDAR scanners measure distances using pulsed lasers, while photogrammetry algorithms derive spatial data from 2D image sequences. These technologies enable devices to detect walls, furniture and free space, calculate surface textures for object placement and update spatial maps dynamically as environments change.
The next layer is in the form of multimodal input systems which enhance spatially aware devices by integrating various input methods for a more natural and intuitive user experience. Hand tracking uses outward-facing cameras to detect finger movements, enabling pinch-to-select gestures without the need for controllers. Gaze direction is another key component, where eye-tracking infrared sensors infer user focus, allowing interface elements to activate simply by looking at them. Additionally, voice commands powered by natural language processing provide hands-free control, particularly useful in industrial settings. This multimodal approach closely resembles the way humans interact with physical objects, reducing cognitive load and making navigation more seamless compared to traditional graphical user interfaces. [10]
Whilst spatial interfaces provide intuitive interaction, they also present significant challenges. Over reliance on screen-based AR navigation can degrade a humans natural wayfinding skills, reducing spatial memory retention. Poorly designed AR content that overlaps with physical obstacles may cause confusion, requiring careful spatial zoning to prevent virtual object collisions. Additionally, multimodal conflicts such as competing visual, auditory, and haptic cues which can overwhelm a humans spatial processing capacity in complex environments. [11] [12]
Privacy and security are also major concerns in spatial environments. Always-on environmental mapping raises risks, such as persistent spatial data stored in cloud systems, which could create new attack surfaces. Biometric surveillance, including eye-tracking and gait analysis, may inadvertently expose sensitive health information. Furthermore, issues like virtual trespassing where AR content is placed in private spaces without consent, highlight the need for digital zoning laws to regulate the ethical use of spatial technology. [13]
Conclusion
The integration of spatial awareness into technology represents more than an interface upgrade it constitutes a fundamental reimagining of human-computer interaction. By aligning digital systems with innate spatial cognition, we create tools that enhance rather than disrupt natural behaviours, from surgical precision guided by 3D anatomical maps to sustainable cities designed through collaborative spatial simulations. As these technologies mature, balancing innovation with ethical spatial data practices will determine whether we build immersive environments that empower rather than overwhelm. Future research must prioritise standardised spatial interaction frameworks and continued studies on cognitive impacts, ensuring technology evolves in harmony with human spatial intelligence.
References
1. Embodied Interaction and Spatial Skills: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies
2. Spatial navigation and memory: A review of the similarities and differences relevant to brain models and age
3. Generalization of the modulatory effect of social interaction on personal space
4. The Relation Between Spatial Cognition, Social Cognition and Individual Differences in the Built Environment
5. Veridical Perceptual Seemings
6. How non-veridical perception drives actions in healthy humans: evidence from synaesthesia
7. How non-veridical perception drives actions in healthy humans: evidence from synaesthesia
8. Understanding Spatial Computing: The Next Frontier in Digital Transformation
9. Spatial Computing: A New Paradigm of Interaction
10. Multimodal Interaction, Interfaces, and Communication
11. Technology: Use or lose our navigation skills
12. Impact of Navigation Aid and Spatial Ability Skills on Wayfinding Performance and Workload in Indoor-Outdoor Campus Navigation
13. Data privacy and security challenges in environmental research: Approaches to safeguarding sensitive information
14. Protecting privacy: biometric mass surveillance and the ai act
15. The cognitive map in humans: Spatial navigation and beyond
16. What’s Important About Spatial Awareness?
17. Spatial Cognition
18. A cortical cell ensemble in the posterior parietal cortex controls past experience-dependent memory updating
19. Understanding Vestibular Input & Its Role in Sensory Regulation
20. Proxemic interaction: designing for a proximity and orientation-aware environment
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Hey i'm Chris - someone who's always been drawn to creativity, connection and making things that matter. Whether i'm working on a personal project or collaborating with others, I care deeply about doing things with heart and intention. I specialise in graphics & motion, 3D & Extended Reality (XR), creating immersive and impactful work for entertainment and brand experiences. This space is a reflection of who I am and what I love - a mix of ideas, experiments and things i'm proud to share. I'm forever evolving, always learning and always open to new conversations. If something resonates with you or you're curious about collaborating i'd love to hear from you. I don't share that much commercial work online but you can check out more of my work on Behance, Vimeo and ArtStation.
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