Sensor-based Digital Twins: Perceptual and Spatial Evaluation by Comparing Physical and Virtual Reality Exhibitions

The perceptual and cognitive equivalence between a physical woodblock print exhibition and its immersive virtual reality (VR) reconstruction is examined in this study.A cross-over experiment with 52 participants was conducted to compare spatial fidelity, lighting realism, material authenticity, immersion, and cognitive workload across modalities.Physical exhibition parameters were captured by laser scanning, optical profilometry, spectrophotometry, and lux metering, then translated into a computer-aided design-based digital twin.The VR exhibition validation included geometric deviation analysis, tracking accuracy, latency decomposition, and colorimetric fidelity.The results indicated that spatial perception was preserved, with no significant differences between physical and VR exhibitions.Lighting realism and material authenticity were rated higher in the physical exhibition, reflecting the limitations of current rendering pipelines in reproducing micro-shadow diffusion and complex surface reflectance.Conversely, immersion was significantly enhanced when using VR, supported by six-degrees-of-freedom navigation and low-latency sensor feedback.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index scores revealed moderately higher cognitive workload in VR, attributable to sensorimotor adaptation and interface demands, although remaining within acceptable limits.The results of this study show a structured trade-off: physical exhibitions excel in material and optical realism, whereas VR enhances immersion and spatial agency.The study results underscore the role of sensor technologies in bridging perceptual fidelity and provide actionable directions for advancing digital twin pipelines in cultural heritage preservation.