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.