Sensory Substitution and Augmentation Conference

Sensory Substitution and Augmentation Conference Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience, University of Glasgow, held at the British Academy 26-28 March 2013 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 brought 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 explored 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. The conference was followed by a demonstration event, bringing these technologies together in the one place for the first time ever.