Being active over one's own motion: Considering predictive mechanisms in self-motion perception

Area of Science:

• Human Factors
• Aerospace Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Self-motion perception is vital for pilot behavior and spatial orientation, with impairment leading to accidents.
• It relies on visuo-vestibular integration, influenced by environmental factors and information reliability.
• Operator's internal state, including automation-induced changes in agency, can modulate multisensory integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between automation and self-motion perception in pilots.
• To explore how automation influences the internal state and agency, affecting self-motion perception.
• To propose linking agency and self-motion perception as a framework for understanding automation's impact.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on self-motion perception, visuo-vestibular integration, and automation.
• It analyzes the theoretical underpinnings of how automation affects operator's internal state and sense of agency.
• The review discusses the modulation of multisensory integration by automation and its consequences.

Main Results:

• Automation can disrupt self-motion perception by altering agency and predictive mechanisms.
• The reliability of sensory information and the operator's internal state are key modulators.
• A clear link exists between automation, agency, and the perception of self-motion.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the interplay between automation, agency, and self-motion perception is essential for aviation safety.
• Future research should focus on quantifying these effects to mitigate risks associated with advanced automation.
• Developing strategies to maintain pilots' sense of agency may improve self-motion perception and reduce disorientation.