Exploration strategies influence visual-auditory sensory substitution in a passive guidance setup

This study explores the origin of perception during passive exploration using a sensory substitution device (SSD) and investigates whether the type of passive guidance strategy influences participants' perception of 2D shapes. Forty-eight participants were divided into four groups, each guided passively with a distinct exploration strategy: macro-scanning (MAC), spatio-temporal (ST), micro-scanning (MIC), or contour exploration (C). After passive exploration, participants transitioned to active exploration with the SSD. Results showed that all participants improved in shape perception, with those exposed to the MIC strategy demonstrating the highest accuracy and confidence levels. This advantage was observed both during passive exploration and when participants actively explored the shapes. These findings suggest that the MIC strategy may have enhanced proprioceptive feedback and sensorimotor contingencies, leading to better perception and a more task-appropriate active exploration strategy adopted by participants. This research emphasizes the importance of passive guidance strategies in optimizing the use of SSDs and provides insights that could inform rehabilitation techniques and assistive technology design.