This is a visual illusion phenomenon discovered by chance when applying noise image textures to rotating figures with noise image backgrounds.
While the texture continues to move in one direction relative to the center of the figure, the rotational motion of the figure is perceived normally. However, when the texture becomes relatively stationary, the rotation appears to slow down or move in a jerky manner. The appearance of the figure’s motion being impeded by the stationary texture reminds us of static friction, hence we named this phenomenon the “Static Friction Illusion.”
Awards
This illusion phenomenon was selected as a winning entry in the 7th Illusion Contest held at the 34th Annual Conference of the Japanese Psychonomic Society.