Pigeon Vision.
3-week Prototype
Shown at the Animal Computer Interaction (ACI) Conference 2016.
Pigeon Vision is a wearable artefact that offers an understanding as to why pigeons move their heads in such a distinct manner.
When pigeons walk they nod their head back and forth, which is known as head-bobbing. This has developed due to the fact that a pigeon cannot see clearly when moving its head. The result is an optokinetic response which occurs in two distinct phases: the thrust phase, in which the head moves, resulting in blurred vision; followed by the hold phase, where the head is held still and retinal vision stabilises, allowing clear sight.
The way the pigeon sees is re-created by the binary movement of a frosted flap which blocks the users vision when movement is detected, and retracts allowing the user to see when motionless.
Through wearable emulation, we aimed to introduce the pigeon sensorium to a human audience and create a different understanding towards the perception of another living thing.
Pigeon Head-Bobbing study: https://www.biomotionlab.ca/Text/TrojeFrost00.pdf