Heading perception depends on time-varying evolution of optic flow
Abstract
Instantaneous optic flow, image velocity across the visual field, contains information about self-motion (heading). Indeed, computer vision algorithms estimate heading from instantaneous optic flow accurately despite co-occurring rotation. Similarly, the consensus in perceptual psychology is that instantaneous optic flow suffices for heading perception. But as we navigate through the world, visual motion evolves over time. We generated videos showing either an evolving or nonevolving view of navigation through a virtual world. The nonevolving view was insufficient for accurate heading perception in the presence of rotation. Rather, accurate performance relied on time-evolving optic flow. This suggests that most existing models of heading perception are incorrect. We hypothesize that heading perception is based on optic acceleration, the temporal derivative of optic flow.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2022984117
Entities
People
- Charles Burlingham
- David Heeger
Organizations
- National Eye Institute
- New York University
- United States Air Force