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Published on: January 7, 2019
Perceived arm posture and remote haptic perception of whether an object can be stepped over
Jeffrey B Wagman1, Kona R Taylor
1Department of Psychology, Campus Box 4620, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA. JeffreyWagman@ilstu.edu
Journal of Motor Behavior
|August 27, 2005
Summary
Perceived arm posture, not just leg length, affects how people judge if they can step over obstacles using a tool. This finding is key for developing better navigation aids for the visually impaired.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Haptic Perception
- Robotics
Background:
- Remote haptic perception is crucial for tasks like obstacle negotiation.
- Understanding how sensory input is integrated is vital for designing effective assistive technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of perceived arm posture on remote haptic perception of traversability.
- To determine the role of perceived arm-rod configuration in obstacle height judgment.
Main Methods:
- Blindfolded participants (N=20) used a T-shaped rod to assess if they could step over bars of varying heights.
- The rod's weight was manipulated to alter the perceived posture of the arm-plus-rod system.
- Participant leg length was also recorded as a potential influencing factor.
Main Results:
- Both participant leg length and the perceived arm-plus-rod posture significantly impacted the judgment of whether bars could be stepped over.
- Altered perceived arm posture systematically shifted the perception of traversability.
Conclusions:
- Perceived arm posture is a critical factor in remote haptic perception of traversability.
- Findings suggest potential for improved design of navigation aids for visually impaired individuals by considering perceived posture cues.
