Research Overview

Our research combines theoretical and experimental methods to investigate visuo-motor strategies during the planning and execution of goal-directed (arm and eye) movements under risk. In our experiments, we study human movement planning in environments where we provide explicit feedback on the outcome of actions and compare human performance to a model of optimal performance based on statistical decision theory (Trommershäuser, Maloney, Landy, 2003, J. Opt.Soc., 20, 1419).


Simultaneous monitoring of eye and arm movements:

We currently measure eye and arm movements by combining an infra-red camera based eye-tracker (EyeLink®II, Sensomotoric Instruments) with a CRT-touch screen. This set-up allows us to simultaneously access gaze-position, time and location of the start and end of a pointing movement on a trial-by-trial basis, as well as to provide real-time feedback on gaze position and movement end point.

Movement planning within simulated visuo-haptic environments (including PHANToM™ force-feedback device):

A second line of experiments is performed within a simulated visuo-haptic environment using a stereo-haptic feedback device (including a PHANToM™ (3.0) force feedback device). In this set-up, visual stimuli are presented "within arm’s reach." The PHANToM™ is used to provide the haptic feedback about objects in the scene, alter the proprioceptive information during the reach and to track the position of the observer’s finger tip in space and time.