Sensory Substitution and Augmentation Conference

Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 March 2013


Venue: The British Academy,
10-11 Carlton House Terrace,
London SW1Y 5AH

Tuesday 26 March 2013, 9am – 5.30pm

Wednesday 27 March 2013, 9.30am – 5.30pm

Thursday 28 March 2013, 9.30am – 1.00pm

In addition: special demonstration of sensory substitution and augmentation devices on Thursday 28 March 2013, 4.30pm – 7.30pm.

Since 1968 scientists have been creating sensory substitution and augmentation devices. With these devices they try to replace or enhance one sense by using another sense. For example, in tactile–vision, stimulation of the skin driven by input to a camera is used to replace the ordinary sense of vision that uses our eyes. The feelSpace belt aims to give people a magnetic sense of direction using vibrotactile stimulation driven by a digital compass. This conference will bring together people developing these technologies, the psychologists studying the minds and behaviour of subjects who use the devices, and the neuroscientists and philosophers interested in the nature of perceptual experience and sensory interaction. We will explore the nature, limits and possibilities of these technologies, how they can be used to help those with sensory impairments, and what they can tell us about perception and perceptual experience in general. Further details of the academic themes of the conference can be found here.