Tunnel Zoom Drift Illusion
Experience a geometric tunnel that won't stay straight, challenging your sense of balance.
🧐 What do you see?▼
You are moving through a square tunnel, but the "vanishing point" is drifting in a circular or swaying motion. It feels like you are on a rollercoaster in a kaleidoscope.
🧠 Why this works▼
This illusion targets Egocentric Motion Detection. Usually, when we move through a tunnel, our brain expects the center to be fixed relative to our head position.
By making the center drift (using Sine/Cosine offsets on the perspective center), we create a conflict. Your eyes see the tunnel turning, but your head remains still. The brain tries to compensate by making you feel like your body is tilting in the opposite direction of the drift.
🧪 Try variations▼
- High speed: Dramatically increases the 'whiplash' effect of the tunnel turns.
- Close one eye: Many people find that the 3D 'falling' sensation is actually stronger with one eye, as it removes stereoscopic confirmation that the screen is flat.
❓ FAQ▼
Why does the 'drift' feel random?
It's not actually random! It uses a mathematical combination of two different oscillator frequencies to create a "Lissajous-like" wandering path that never repeats exactly the same way twice.