Pascal Knierim

University of Stuttgart, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Papers

Total Citations

263

H-Index

About

Pascal Knierim is a leading researcher at the intersection of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and human-computer interaction. His work fundamentally explores how immersive technologies shape human perception, social behavior, and bodily awareness. Knierim’s most influential contribution is his seminal 2017 paper, ““These are not my hands!”” (207 citations), which demonstrated that rendering a user’s hands in VR significantly enhances presence and the illusion of “being there,” establishing a core principle for embodied interaction in virtual environments. He further advances the field by investigating social dynamics in mixed reality, as shown in his 2022 work “Proxemics for Human-Agent Interaction in Augmented Reality” (56 citations). This research reveals how virtual agents’ personal space influences user behavior and physiological arousal, providing critical design guidelines for socially-aware AR systems. Knierim’s work bridges technical innovation with psychological insight, offering foundational knowledge for creating more immersive, intuitive, and socially intelligent virtual experiences. His findings are essential for developers designing VR/AR applications, from training simulations to collaborative spaces, and continue to shape how we understand the human experience within digital worlds.