Multisensory Spatial Orientation and Localization in Novel Gravitoinertial Force Backgrounds

Abstract

Our aim was to develop quantitative models to predict and prevent errors in spatial orientation and sensory localization during exposure to the novel forces of aerial environments. Most of our effort focused on localization of the subjective vertical. The accomplishments of the project were: (1) we acquired the requisite data to build a three-dimensional model of static vestibular orientation, (2) we built a novel static vestibular orientation model based on biological principles, and (3) we acquired additional data to independently test our model against other models. One model fit our new data as well as all existing data which had been collected in 1 g and in various hyper-g centrifuge experiments. The model made different predictions than every other model about orientation in the yaw axis in hyper-g environments, and this prediction turned out to be correct. Thus, our final model makes the most comprehensive, accurate predictions of orientation errors in multi-force backgrounds. It also implies that somato-sensory cues will have a heightened role in negative-g situations. We also collected data to help extend our model to dynamic situations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 20, 2006
Accession Number
ADA458469

Entities

People

  • James R. Lackner
  • Paul DiZio

Organizations

  • Brandeis University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Amplitude
  • Angular Acceleration
  • Brain
  • Central Nervous System
  • Data Sets
  • Displacement
  • Ear
  • Environment
  • Flight
  • Motion Sickness
  • Nervous System
  • Neurobehavioral Manifestations
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Oscillation
  • Perception
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.