Vision

SAMMIE provides a 'human's view' facility to enable the designer to predict the views which will be seen by the human model. The view seen by the human model can be dynamically manipulated through on screen interaction to move the eyes and neck to move the view. Joint constraints limit the maximum rotation of the eyes and neck and so unrealistic views from a given posture cannot be obtained. The view provided is monocular and thus is an approximation of real-world vision. However, the view from the left and right eyes can be evaluated to simulate binocular vision. The view can also be adjusted to provide the standard and peripheral visual fields.

Supermarket self checkout evaluation
Vision cones and human's view being used to explore the accessibility of a supermarket self-checkout.

A widely used feature in SAMMIE evaluations is the vision cone feature. In a similar manner to reach contours, vision cones provide a quick and easy method to evaluate vision that can be shown in visualisations of the assessment environment. The cones are semi-transparent geometry that radiate from the left/right/both or mean eye point of the human model. The cones conform to different standards including a representation of the degree to which the resolution of vision varies from the centre of the visual field; the recommended vertical viewing angles for screen based activities; and a representation of central and peripheral visual fields. The cones are coloured to aid evaluation, the cones can also be turned on and off as required.