AnimalSense: Understanding Beyond-human Sensory Capabilities of Animals via VR Games

Animals have sensory capabilities far beyond those of humans, including the ability to detect ultrasound, UV light, electric fields, magnetic fields, and to have panoramic vision. AnimalSense is a VR game crafted to immerse players in the extraordinary sensory worlds of animals. The game's design leverages the concepts of sensory substitution, sensory remapping, and active learning, allowing users to explore and utilize these beyond-human sensory capabilities to overcome game challenges, thereby enhancing players' understanding of animals' unique senses. This paper presents three such game section designs: 1) echolocation in bats, 2) electroreception in eels, and 3) panoramic vision in spiders, showcasing how these are integrated into the gameplay.