Head Position Control and Target Localization Performance in Changing Gravito-Inertial Field
Abstract
A subject seated in a modern vehicle (i.e., aircraft) and performing motor tasks may be submitted to inertial forces (Coriolis and centrifugal forces). These forces are sources of spatial disorientation, leading to perturbations of sensor-motor behaviour. The coding of the position of the head, which carries visual and vestibular sensors, is of particular interest with regards to this problem. We have investigated the influence of the position of the head on the accuracy of pointing movements towards visual memorized targets performed in a modified gravito-inertial field in to subjects seated 7Ocm off-centre on a platform rotating at 12O degrees/s. Subjects' head was either strongly immobilized in a vertical position (aligned with gravity vector) or completely free to move. Subjects were required to point as accurately as possible flashed visual targets presented in total darkness, before (PRE-rotation), during (PER-rotation) and after rotation of the platform (POST-rotation). Position of the head in the head free condition was recorded with an electromagnetic movement sensor (Polhemus Fastrack), whereas pointing accuracy as well as kinematics of the movements were recorded with an infrared position sensor device (Hamamatsu Motion Monitoring System).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADP013849
Entities
People
- C. Bourdin
- F. Sares
- G. M. Gauthier
- J. M. Prieur
- J. P. Menu