Welcome to the Perceptual and Cognitive Brain Information Processing Laboratory at Kochi University of Technology. We are dedicated to unraveling the complexities of human 3D spatial perception through advanced research methodologies and cutting-edge technologies. The findings from our basic research can contribute to the development of adaptive and effective methods for representing three-dimensional space in virtual reality.

About Our Research

Objective 

 Our research focuses on understanding how humans perceive the three-dimensional world. This involves intricate brain processes that infer a 3D space by our sensory organs. Our lab uses psychophysical methods and functional brain imaging techniques, such as virtual reality (VR) and fMRI, to explore these processes. 

 Research Areas

• Psychophysics, Experimental Psychology: Investigating perceptual characteristics of 3D vision, including depth order and 3D shape perception, using tools like head mounted displays (HMDs), data gloves, and eye trackers.

• Functional Brain Imaging, Cognitive Neuroscience: Using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to decode higher levels of cortical process of spatial perception, utilizing fMRI technologies.

Why Join Us?

Our lab is at the forefront of research in visual perception, aiming to understand the universal characteristics of human beings. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Conduct independent research and develop experimental programs.

• Contribute to both behavioral and neuroscience studies.

• Collaborate with a dynamic team on innovative projects.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

We are looking for motivated doctoral candidates with the following skills:

• Programming (Matlab, C/C++/C#, Unity, R)

• Statistical data analysis

• Excellent writing skills

Research Plans

As part of our ongoing efforts to recruit motivated doctoral students from around the world, our lab is expanding its research horizons. We aim to investigate deeper into the complexities of spatial perception and body perception using advanced methodologies.

Please note that these are just examples of potential research plans, and various other research directions can be pursued through discussion. 

1. Expanding Research on Spatial Perception:

We aim to explore how the brain processes spatial information from different sensory inputs, particularly focusing on how visual and somatosensory information interact to influence perception. This line of research will be critical in developing more sophisticated models of how the brain integrates multi-sensory data to create a coherent representation of space. We are particularly interested in the application of VR technology to manipulate and study body perception. 

2. Comprehensive Analysis of Peripersonal and Extrapersonal Space using VR and AI:

Our projects explore the perception of space around the body (peripersonal space) and beyond it (extrapersonal space). We aim to investigate how these spatial representations are influenced by the presence of our body, objects and others and how this knowledge can be applied to areas such as personal space management in virtual environments. This research will contribute to our understanding of how humans interact with their environment and with others, particularly in digital and augmented spaces. Additionally, we are exploring the integration of AI to create more responsive virtual avatars that can interact with users in a realistic and personalized manner. This research has significant potential for improving metaverse world and human-computer interaction.

3. Leveraging fMRI for Detailed Brain Analysis:

Our lab has been at the forefront of using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) in fMRI to decode brain activity related to spatial perception. We plan to extend this work by investigating how the brain processes spatial information with multimodal inputs or when visual inputs are absent and only somatosensory information is available. This research will provide insights into the brain’s ability to adapt and utilize non-visual information for spatial representation in visual system.

Application Process

Interested candidates are encouraged to review our admission guidelines and apply through the official Kochi University of Technology website. For more information and specific application instructions, please visit our admission guidelines.