Counter-Rotating Wheels Illusion
Two wheels spinning in opposite directions can distort perceived speed and direction.
🧐 What do you see?▼
Focus on the center space between the two wheels. You might notice the "teeth" or inner textures appearing to mesh or seemingly slow down. Try looking at one wheel directly—does the other one appear to change speed?
🧠 Why this works▼
This illusion exploits motion integration in peripheral vision. Our peripheral vision is sensitive to motion but has low spatial resolution. When two nearby objects move in opposite directions, the brain sometimes struggles to separate the motion vectors, leading to a "meshing" or "pulling" effect in the center.
🧪 Try variations▼
- Peripheral Gaze: Look at the wall past your monitor. The wheels might appear to wobble.
- One Eye: Cover one eye to remove binocular depth cues (if any exist) and focus purely on motion.
❓ FAQ▼
Why do they look like gears?
The visual system associates counter-rotation with mechanical gears, so your brain "expects" them to interlock.